The next Victor Wembanyama? Fellow player Zaccharie Risacher declares for the NBA draft, with the 6-foot-10 19-year-old expected to go first overall
For the second year in a row, a Frenchman could become No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft, as projected top pick Zaccharie Risacher has submitted his official paperwork to the league according to a new report.
Risacher, 19, is a 6-foot-10 forward playing for JL Bourg in the French Pro A League.
And with the draft about two months away, he told ESPN on Monday that he was declared for the event.
“I always dreamed of getting to the best league in the world,” Risacher said.
“I have worked hard for this since I was a child. JL Bourg gave me an incredible opportunity to show what I can do. It’s the perfect place to start my young career. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to play for this organization.
Zaccharie Risacher could be the second consecutive Frenchman to become No. 1 overall
Victor Wembanyama was drafted by the Spurs last year and dominated his rookie season
This season, Risacher is averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, with a 39% success rate from three.
Of course, Risacher’s entry into the draft comes 14 months after the Spurs selected French phenom Victor Wembanyama.
The incredibly talented 7-foot-4 center had a tremendous rookie season, in which he averaged 21.4 points, a league-leading 3.6 blocks and earned a nomination for Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year. the year. He should also be named Rookie of the Year.
If Risacher does indeed become No. 1, he’s more likely to land with the Pistons or Wizards, who finished with the league’s two worst records and have an even 14 percent chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery.
Risacher is averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this year for JL Bourg
The Trail Blazers (13.3%) and Hornets (13.2%) aren’t far behind, while Wembanyama’s Spurs have the fifth-best odds at 10.5%.
Besides Wembanyama, Risacher is expected to join France’s Bilal Coulibaly (No. 7 last year), Rayan Rupert (No. 43 overall in 2023) and Sidy Cissoko (No. 44 overall) as recent signings.
Another Frenchman, former Knicks draftee Frédéric Weis, made headlines when he criticized the Sixers’ Joel Embiid for snubbing France in favor of Team USA before the Paris Games.
Alexandre Sarr, yet another Frenchman measuring over seven feet, is also expected to be a top-five pick.
