NBA Draft 2024: the Atlanta Hawks make Zaccharie Risacher their second consecutive Frenchman selected in first position

NEW YORK — First Victor Wembanyama, now Zaccharie Risacher.

Nowadays, American college players have to wait their turn in the NBA draft. It’s someone else’s time at the top.

Long live France!

The Atlanta Hawks took Risacher to No. 1 Wednesday night and France placed three players in the top six on a historic night for the country.

Here are the players selected in the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday night in New York:

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1. Atlanta Hawks – Zaccharie Risacher, forward, 6-9, 215, JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France)

Scouting Report: A developing player with two-way potential. Possesses guard skills and has shown catch-and-shoot ability after shooting 39% from 3-point range between the league and Eurocup. I turned 19 in April and I need to get stronger. Averaged 0.9 assists and 1.6 turnovers to highlight the need to improve as a playmaker.

2. Washington Wizards – Alex Sarr, center, 7-0, 224, Perth (Australia)

Scouting Report: Possesses athleticism, mobility and length providing advantage as a shot blocker, switchable defender and rim lob threat. Grew up in France, but spent two seasons with the Overtime Elite developmental program in Atlanta, then played in the National Basketball League, based in Australia. Ranked among the NBL leaders in blocks (1.5) despite averaging just 17.3 minutes. Has 7-4 wingspan. Should add strength and improve outside shooting (29% from 3-point range).

3. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn) – Reed Sheppard, guard, 6-2, 182, Kentucky

Scouting Report: The shot stands out. He made 52.1% of his 3s last year and 83% of his free throws. Elite potential as a catch-and-shoot threat. Averaged 4.5 assists to show potential for both guard positions. I don’t know how he’ll match up against bigger guards, especially off the ball.

4. San Antonio Spurs – Stephon Castle, guard, 6-6, 210, UConn

Scouting Report: A combo guard with size and ability to overpower smaller defenders. Big potential as a defender and playmaker. He accepted a complementary role in the Huskies’ run to a second straight NCAA title despite his vaunted rookie status. Must improve outside shooting (26.7% on 3s).

5. Detroit Pistons – Ron Holland II, forward, 6-7, 197, G League Ignite

Scouting Report: Provides versatility with ground running ability to attack the rim. Has a 6-11 wingspan and defensive upside. Made 24% from 3. Made 42 turnovers against 45 assists in an injury-shortened season. He will be 19 in July. McDonald’s All-American who bypassed college basketball.

6. Charlotte Hornets – Tidjane Salaun, forward, 6-9, 217, Cholet (France)

Scouting Report: A smooth athlete with a wingspan of nearly 7-2. Offers long-term potential to stretch defenses and harass smaller perimeter players. Still on point on outside shooting (32% at 3 last season). He will be 19 in August.

7. Portland Trail Blazers – Donovan Clingan, center, 7-2, 282, UConn

Scouting Report: Towering rim protection (7-7 wingspan) and floor finisher for the two-time defending NCAA champions. Averaged 2.5 blocks in just 22.6 minutes. Value highlighted in Illinois going 0 for 19 on contested shots by Clingan in the NCAA Elite Eight. It’s unclear how well it would handle switches to defend itself in space. Poor free throw shooter (55.8% in career).

8. San Antonio (from Toronto) – Rob Dillingham, guard, 6-1, 164, Kentucky

Scouting Report: Shows potential as a point guard after one college season. Averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists. Shot 44.4% on 3s while attempting 4.5 per game. He will be 20 in January. Should add strength to the undersized frame.

9. Memphis Grizzlies – Zach Edey, center, 2.23 m, 100 kg, Purdue

Scouting Report: Two-time AP National Men’s Player of the Year. Led the Boilermakers to the NCAA finals in April after leading the nation in scoring (25.2) and ranking second in rebounding (12.2). Massive presence with 7 to 11 wingspans. Defensive mobility is a question.

10. Utah Jazz – Cody Williams, forward, 6-7, 178, Colorado

Scouting Report: The versatile wing shot 55.2% overall and 41.5% from 3-point range in his lone season. Has a wingspan of 7-1 but needs to get stronger. Needs improvement as a rebounder (3.0), highlighted by grabbing three rebounds in 64 minutes over three NCAA Tournament games. McDonald’s All-American and the program’s first five-star recruit in more than two decades.

11. Chicago Bulls – Matas Buzelis, forward, 6-9, 197 pounds, G League Ignite

Reconnaissance report: exploits confrontations, scores on small defenders and passes bigger ones. Can attack while dribbling or score while dropping back. Averaged 2.1 blocks with a 6-10 wingspan. Shot just 27.3% in 3 seconds. McDonald’s All-American who bypassed college basketball.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Houston) – Nikola Topic, guard, 6-6, 203, KK Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)

Scouting Report: Has the size and ability to play at the point. Has the vision of developing teammates who can create their own shot, attack the paint and finish at the rim. Exterior photography takes work. Health problems remain after two knee injuries.

13. Sacramento Kings – Devin Carter, guard, 6-2, 193, Providence

Scouting Report: Improved scoring (19.7) and 3-point shooting (.377) last season. Tied for best maximum vertical jump (42 inches) and vertical stance (35) at the combine. Spent two years in Providence after transferring from South Carolina.

14. Portland Trail Blazers (from Golden State via Boston and Memphis) – Carlton “Bub” Carrington, guard, 6-4, 195, Pittsburgh

Scouting Report: Averages 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists as a floor leader with all-around potential. Had a triple-double on opening night. Must improve outside shooting (32% on 3s).

15. Miami Heat – Kel’el Ware, center, 7-0, 230, Indiana

Scouting Report: The Oregon transfer averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 rebounds as a starter in each game for the Hoosiers. Made 17 of 40 3s (.425). Has a 7-5 wingspan and tested his agility well at the combine. Needs to improve at the foul line (63.4% last year). I turned 20 in April.

16. Philadelphia 76ers – Jared McCain, guard, 6-2, 203, Duke

Scouting Report: Unique player who quickly became the Blue Devils’ toughest competitor. Made 41% from 3 and 89% from free throws. Had two 30-point performances in the NCAA Tournament.

17. Los Angeles Lakers – Dalton Knecht, guard, 6-5, 212, Tennessee

Scouting report: Big scorer in rebound and catch-and-shoot scenarios. First team AP All-American averaging 21.7 points and shooting 39.7% from three-point range. Active player who has tested well in the agility combine. Uncertainty about his athleticism and defensive mobility. Turned 23 in April.

18. Orlando Magic – Tristan da Silva, forward, 6-8, 217, Colorado

Scouting Report: Veteran German scorer with 98 career starts. Averaged 15.9 points on 39.5% from 3 in a starring role over the last two years. Turned 23 last month.

19. Toronto Raptors (from Indiana) – Ja’Kobe Walter, guard, 6-4, 198, Baylor

Scouting Report: A unique prospect who fearlessly launched from behind the arc. He made 57% of his shots there and had 13 games with at least three made 3s, but shot just 34% on those.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jaylon Tyson, forward, 6-6, 218, California

Scouting Report: Made a big step forward offensively after moving from Texas to Texas Tech and finally to Cal last season. Averaged 19.6 points last season, up from 10.7 the year before. Made 37.8% from 3 over the last two seasons.

21. New Orleans Pelicans (Milwaukee) – Yves Missi, center, 6-11, 229, Baylor

Scouting Report: Bouncy, raw prospect from Cameroon. Displayed athleticism as a lob threat (61.4% shooting) and shot blocker (1.5 per game) in college season alone. Turned 20 last month.

22. Phoenix Suns – DaRon Holmes II, forward/center, 6-9, 236, Dayton

Scouting report: Atlantic 10 co-player and defensive player of the year. Averaged 19.3 points and 8.3 rebounds over the past two seasons. Range expanded last year (38.6% on 3s). Averaged 2.1 blocks over a three-year career with a 7-1 wingspan.

23. Milwaukee Bucks (from New Orleans) – AJ Johnson, guard, 6-4, 167, Illawara (Australia)

Scouting report: Former Texas recruit bypassed college to play in the Australia-based National Basketball League. Averaged 2.9 points in 7.7 minutes. Has length but a slight frame.

24. New York Knicks (from Dallas) – Kyshawn George, forward, 6-7, 209, Miami

Scouting Report: Offers long-term potential as a size shooter. Made 40.8% of 3s in college season alone, but did little inside the arc (28 of 81 made shots, 34.6%).

25. New York Knicks – Pacome Dadiet, forward, 2.03 m, 217 kg, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

Scouting Report: A developing French player with potential as a rim finisher with 3-point range. Projects as a versatile defender. He will be 19 in July.

26. Washington Wizards (from LA Clippers via Dallas and Oklahoma City) – Dillon Jones, guard, 6-5, 237, Weber State

Scouting Report: A scorer with a strong frame. Averaged 20.8 points and 5.2 assists. An elite rebounder averaging 10.5 rebounds over his last three seasons. Shot just 32% from 3-point range in his four-year career.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves – Terrence Shannon Jr., guard, 6-6, 219, Illinois

Scouting report: Third-team AP All-American last year as the nation’s leading scorer (23.0). Downhill forward who shot 36% on 3s. Texas Tech transfer who flourished as a scorer in two seasons with Illinois. Recently found not guilty of a rape charge to resolve a court case closely watched by the Boy Scouts.

28. Denver Nuggets – Ryan Dunn, forward, 6-6, 214, Virginia

Scouting Report: Massive defensive potential with a near 7-2 wingspan. Can protect the rim (2.3 blocks) or perimeter. Offensive play is a question.

29. Utah Jazz (from Oklahoma City via Toronto and Indiana) – Isaiah Collier, guard, 6-3, 205, USC

Scouting Report: Can attack the rim with a strong frame and quickness. Averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists as a floor leader. Average of 3.3 turnovers for a 15-18 team.

30. Boston Celtics – Baylor Scheierman, guard/forward, 6-6, 202, Creighton

Scouting Report: The South Dakota State transfer averaged 15.5 points, made 197 3-pointers and shot 37.3 percent from 3 in two seasons with the Bluejays. Lacks elite athleticism and needs to develop defensively.

Live coverage of NBA Draft predictions Wednesday at 8 p.m. on ABC.