According to two recent reports on the 2024 NBA Draft, the clubs most likely to choose three French prospects that many draft experts believe will be selected in the top 15 are the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and San Antonio Spurs.
Though the Spurs concluded with one of the worst records in 2023–24, the Hawks and Bulls had a different season outcome, but going into June, they are all in a similar situation. Despite their poor seasons, both of them have high-value selections in what many analysts believe to be the worst NBA Draft in decades.
Because of this, they must make sure they select the best player available because this draft may be more hit-or-miss than in the past. San Antonio in particular must do this because they have two selections in the top eight. One month remains until the June tournament, and it appears that all three may be selecting players from the same recently developed basketball hotspot.
This week, Adam Finkelstein, a college basketball expert for CBS Sports, provided the most recent information from this week’s NBA Draft combine. He stated that it is widely believed in the league that the 7-foot-1 French center Alex Sarr will be selected first overall by the Atlanta Hawks. The 19-year-old big man is presently playing for the Perth Wildcats in Australia. He is a 3-and-D center with rim protector talents comparable to those of Jaren Jackson Jr. of Memphis.
Tidjane Salaun, a fellow Frenchman who plays for Cholet in the same French League playoffs, is a player who is gaining momentum across the league. At this same time last year, Victor Wembanyama was. NBA scouts are talking a lot about the 18-year-old forward, and Finkelstein thinks the Bulls will probably select him at No. 11. Though he still has to polish on his stroke, he is seen to be a brilliant all-around player with strong shot creation abilities.
Two of the San Antonio Spurs’ picks are among the top eight choices in June. In an interview with “The Woj Pod,” ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony asserted that French prospect Zaccharie Risacher is the best player in this year’s class based on his big board. Givony believes that if Wembanyama makes it to the Spurs at number four, it would be stunning if the team did not acquire a French partner for him.
“Zaccharie Risacher has been essentially at No. 1 for the entire season,” Givony stated, “He’s enjoying an amazing year in France. “At 6-foot-10 and shooting 39% from three, he is one of the finest perimeter defenders in this draft and just turned 19 years old. In addition to his exceptional feel for the game, his physique will expand out with time, and his production, he can guard point guards to power forwards.
It truly is amazing. Right now, Zaccharie Risacher can contribute to any NBA club.
On June 26 and 27, 2024, the NBA Draft will take place in Brooklyn, New York.
