June 26, (THEWILL) – The 2024 NBA Draft marked a significant milestone for international talent, with the Atlanta Hawks selecting Zaccharie Risacher as the number one pick.
The 19-year-old forward from France’s JL Bourg averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in his previous season. Atlanta’s selection came as a surprise, given their mere 3% odds in the lottery.
Following Risacher, the Washington Wizards chose Alex Sarr at number two, while the Houston Rockets opted for Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard with the third pick.
The San Antonio Spurs, building on their previous year’s selection of Victor Wembanyama, picked UConn’s Stephon Castle at number four. Rounding out the top five, the Detroit Pistons selected Ron Holland from the G League Ignite.
As the draft progressed, teams continued to balance between international prospects and homegrown talent. The Charlotte Hornets selected Tidjane Salaun at number six, while the Portland Trail Blazers chose UConn’s Donovan Clingan at number seven.
The San Antonio Spurs, with their second top-10 pick, selected Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham at number eight, though reports suggest he may be traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Notable selections in the latter half of the first round included Purdue’s Zach Edey to the Memphis Grizzlies at number nine, Cody Williams from Colorado to the Utah Jazz at number 10, and Nikola Topic to the Oklahoma City Thunder at number 12.
The diversity of selections highlighted the global nature of basketball talent, with players from various countries and developmental paths represented.
The draft concluded with teams addressing specific needs and taking calculated risks on high-potential players. The Boston Celtics used the 30th pick to select Baylor Scheierman, adding to their sharpshooting arsenal.
As teams finalise their rosters, the 2024 draft class promises to bring fresh talent and competition to the NBA in the upcoming season.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
