The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft has come to a dramatic and thrilling conclusion, with French basketball prospects taking center stage. For the first time, French players dominated the draft board, capturing several of the top positions. The spotlight was firmly on France as the Atlanta Hawks made Zaccharie Risacher their No. 1 overall pick, solidifying his status as the top small forward prospect from France.
French Talent Dominates the Draft
The Washington Wizards followed suit, securing the second overall pick and choosing Alex Sarr, a center hailing from France. The 2024 draft clearly underscores the rising talent within French basketball, with these young prospects commanding attention and acclaim from multiple NBA franchises.
Before moving past the top three picks, the Houston Rockets selected Reed Sheppard from Kentucky, making him the first American to break into the leaderboard at No. 3. This selection was quickly followed by the San Antonio Spurs, who took Stephon Castle, a shooting guard from Connecticut, with the fourth overall pick.
Rounding out the top five, the Detroit Pistons opted for Ron Holland, a small forward playing for G League Ignite, further showcasing the depth of young, upcoming talent in the league.
Key Selections and Surprises
As the draft unfolded, several other notable selections emerged. The Charlotte Hornets, with the sixth pick, chose power forward Tidjane Salaun. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers continued the trend of selecting big men by picking center Donovan Clingan from Connecticut at No. 7.
Further down the draft board, the Minnesota Timberwolves secured point guard Rob Dillingham from Kentucky with the eighth pick, bolstering their backcourt with a player known for both his playmaking and scoring ability.
The Memphis Grizzlies added size and strength to their roster by selecting Zach Edey, a center from Purdue, at the ninth overall spot. The top ten concluded with the Utah Jazz’s selection of Cody Williams, a versatile small forward from Colorado.
Diverse Talent Pool Fills Out the First Round
As teams continued to take their turns picking the next generation of NBA stars, more diverse talents were highlighted. The Chicago Bulls selected Matas Buzelis, a power forward from G League Ignite, at No. 11, once again showcasing the path of players coming through the G League system.
At No. 12, the Oklahoma City Thunder took Serbian point guard Nikola Topic, reflecting the global scope of the NBA's scouting reach. Highlighting the enduring prestige of certain college programs, the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers chose shooting guards from Duke and Tennessee, respectively. Specifically, Jared McCain went to the 76ers at No. 16, and Dalton Knecht was picked by the Lakers at No. 17.
Rounding out some of the final notable selections, the New Orleans Pelicans opted for center Yves Missi from Baylor with the 21st pick. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks selected Pacome Dadiet, a small forward, at No. 25.
A New Draft Format
For the first time in NBA history, the second round of the draft will take place on a separate day, offering teams additional time to strategize and evaluate remaining prospects. This unprecedented decision has left major talents such as Bronny James, Kyle Filipowski, and Justin Edwards waiting to hear their names called.
The decision to split the draft into two days not only prolongs the suspense for fans and scouts alike, but it also amplifies the excitement and speculation surrounding these promising young athletes. With several highly-touted names still on the board, the second round is poised to offer its share of remarkable moments and potential steals.
The 2024 NBA Draft has already proven itself memorable, with high-caliber selections and international talent defining the future trajectory of the league. All eyes will now turn to the remaining rounds, as teams make their final picks and the newly drafted players prepare to begin their professional journeys.