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Zachary Lisacher reacts during an interview after being selected first overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2024 NBA Basketball Draft on June 26, 2024 in New York.
CNN —
France is fast becoming a cradle of top talent for the world’s premier basketball league, with French players receiving the top two picks in Wednesday’s NBA draft and four players finishing among the top 25 picks.
This will be the second consecutive year that a Frenchman has been selected first overall in this annual draft, following the San Antonio Spurs’ much-talked-about selection of Victor Wembanyama last season.
The Atlanta Hawks selected compatriot Zachary Lisacher with the top pick at this year’s tournament in Brooklyn, New York.
The 6-foot-8, 19-year-old small forward played for JL Bourg-en-Bresse in France’s LNB Elite League last season, averaging 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 23 games.
“There’s a lot of emotions going on right now. I don’t know what to say, but it’s definitely special. I feel blessed. My family is here and I’m just so happy they’re here,” Lisacher said on the ESPN broadcast.
The Washington Wizards selected fellow Frenchman Alexandre Sarr with the second overall pick.
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French basketball player Alex Sarr (right) and Silver, who was drafted by the Washington Wizards.
The 19-year-old Sarr played for the Perth Wild Cards in the Australian National Basketball League last season. The 7-foot power forward averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 30 games.
Sarr’s older brother, Olivier, plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.
“Everything I’ve learned is through him,” a tearful Sarr said on air. “He’s given me all the knowledge I have to this day. It’s really special to have someone like him on my side.”
Two more French players were selected in the top 30 of the draft: the Charlotte Hornets selected 18-year-old power forward Tijan Saloun with the sixth pick, and the New York Knicks selected Pancôme Dadier with the 25th pick.
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Tijan Salaun erupted in celebration after being drafted sixth overall by the Charlotte Hornets.
More players could be selected in the second round of Thursday’s draft, with top French prospects Melvin Ajinkya and Armelle Traore still available and listed on several mock draft top 100 lists.
France’s success this year can be attributed to a standout season from last year’s first overall pick, Wenbanyama.
The 7-foot-4 center was already considered one of the great talents of his generation before he was drafted by the Spurs and went on to win the league’s Rookie of the Year award.
“Wenby” also finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, behind his France teammate Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
France has had several notable players in the league’s history, most notably four-time NBA champion Tony Parker and two-time NBA All-Star Joakim Noah, both of whom have since retired.
Excluding new draft picks, there are a total of 10 French players currently playing in the NBA.
