[ad_1]
By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer
this NBA The White House may have to rethink the timing of its annual draft. Not the month, but the timing of when the draft begins.
Paris is six hours ahead of New York, so French basketball fans eager to witness history had to stay up until the early hours of Thursday morning to watch France joins the United States As the only country to have three players selected in the top 10 NBA Draft.
As the first round draws to a close, a total of four French players have been selected: Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Tidjane Salaun and Pacome Dadiet.
The question heading into Wednesday night’s draft was whether Ricciardo or Sarr would be named the No. 1 pick by commissioner Adam Silver and become the second Frenchman to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick in consecutive drafts after last season. Victor Wembanyana, who won the Rookie of the Year Award.
Atlanta Let Risacher be that player.
Washington selected the 7-foot Sarr with the second pick, marking the Wizards’ second consecutive French selection. Then, the NBA draft really took on a distinctly French flavor, as Charlotte selected Saran with the sixth pick, helping France make history.
France became part of a foursome when the New York Knicks drafted Dadit with the 25th pick. Dadit, who turns 19 in July, is a 6-foot-8 player who can finish around the rim. He’s also a versatile defender who has been honing his skills in Germany.
Risache (pronounced Ree-zah-shay) said this means a lot for France as a whole and the country’s burgeoning basketball pipeline to the NBA.
“I know a lot of French people stayed up late to watch this game,” said Rissacher. “This is great for French basketball and I’m happy to be part of something special for this country. I think there will be more players who can make it to the NBA and do great things. I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
This is the second consecutive year that Washington has signed a French player. A year ago, the Wizards traded a spot, exchanging lottery picks with Indiana for Bilal Coulibaly.
For France, which is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics, this is perfect timing.
Tony Parker has led the San Antonio Spurs to four NBA championships, and the team is a real gold medal threat, thanks in part to Minnesota center Rudy Gobert, who is the star of the show this season. NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Charlotte general manager Jeff Peterson said the French do love basketball, and today’s NBA is creating a generation influenced by players like Parker, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum.
“It’s a very, very strong country as far as basketball is concerned,” Peterson said. “So I think the younger generation has grown up and they’ve seen basketball and they love basketball. Those guys are their role models.”
Saran said the level of French players has improved and their influence has been felt around the world.
“This is just the beginning,” Saran said.
related
[ad_2]
Source link
