By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK — The Atlanta Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday night, the second straight year a player from France was the first player selected.
Risacher doesn’t come with the enormous height or hype of Victor Wembanyama, the towering center who went to San Antonio last year and went on to win the Rookie of the Year award.
But the Hawks saw him as the best choice in what has been viewed as a draft absent of elite talent.
The 19-year-old forward was the winner of the best young player award in the French League last season and beat out big men Alex Sarr, a fellow Frenchman, and UConn’s Donovan Clingan in the race to be the top pick.
When he did, it made NBA draft history. This is the first time that the draft has gone consecutive years without the No. 1 pick being someone who played at an American college.
Sarr went second to the Washington Wizards after playing last year with Perth in Australia’s National Basketball League.
The Hawks had only a 3% chance of winning the lottery to earn the No. 1 pick, and there was no obvious choice waiting once they did. Most mock drafts were split between Risacher and Sarr, and Atlanta also worked out Clingan.
Houston made Kentucky freshman Reed Sheppard the No. 3 pick. A one-and-done college player had topped the draft for 13 straight years from 2010-22 before Wembanyama ended that streak.
Now it’s France’s time at the top.
More to come on this story.
The players selected in the first round of the NBA draft Wednesday night in New York:
1. Atlanta Hawks — Zaccharie Risacher, forward, 6-9, 195, JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France)
Scouting report: A developing player with two-way potential. He has guard skills and showed catch-and-shoot ability after making 39% of his 3-point shots between league and Eurocup play. He turned 19 in April and must get stronger. Averaged 0.9 assists and 1.6 turnovers to highlight a need to improve as a playmaker.
2. Washington Wizards — Alex Sarr, center, 7-0, 224, Perth (Australia)
Scouting report: Has athleticism, mobility and length offering upside as a shot blocker, switchable defender and rim-running lob threat. Grew up in France but spent two seasons with Overtime Elite developmental program in Atlanta, then played in Australian-based National Basketball League. Ranked among NBL leaders in blocked shots (1.5) despite averaging just 17.3 minutes. Has a 7-4 wingspan. Must add strength and improve outside shot (29% from 3-point range).
3. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn) — Reed Sheppard, guard, 6-2, 182, Kentucky
Scouting report: The shooting stroke stands out. He hit 52.1% of his 3-point attempts last year and 83% of his free throws. He has elite potential as a catch-and-shoot threat. Averaged 4.5 assists to show potential for both guards spots. Uncertain how he’ll match up with bigger guards, particularly off the ball.
4. San Antonio Spurs — Stephon Castle, guard, 6-6, 210, Connecticut
Scouting report: A combo guard with size and ability to overpower smaller defenders. Big potential as a defender and playmaker. Accepted complementary role in Huskies’ run to a second straight NCAA title despite his touted-recruit status. Must improve outside shot (26.7% from 3-point range).
5. Detroit Pistons — Ron Holland II, forward, 6-7, 197, G League Ignite
Scouting report: Offers versatility with floor-running ability to attack the rim. Has 6-11 wingspan and defensive upside. Made 24% of his 3-point attempts. Had 42 turnovers against 45 assists in an injury-shortened season. He turns 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 fluid athlete with a nearly 7-2 wingspan. Offers long-term potential to stretch defenses and harass smaller perimeter players. Still honing outside shot (32% on 3s last season). Turns 19 in August.
7. Portland Trail Blazers — Donovan Clingan, center, 7-2, 282, Connecticut
Scouting report: An imposing rim-protecting force (7-7 wingspan) and floor-running finisher for two-time reigning NCAA champs. Averaged 2.5 blocked shots in just 22.6 minutes. Value was highlighted when Illinois went 0 for 19 in Clingan-challenged shots during an NCAA Tournament regional final. Unclear how well he’d handle switches to defend in space. Poor free-throw shooter (55.8% career).
8. San Antonio (from Toronto)
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Utah Jazz
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Houston)
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Portland Trail Blazers (from Golden State via Boston and Memphis)
15. Miami Heat
16. Philadelphia 76ers
17. Lakers
18. Orlando Magic
19. Toronto Raptors (from Indiana)
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
21. New Orleans Pelicans (from Milwaukee)
22. Phoenix Suns
23. Milwaukee Bucks (from New Orleans)
24. New York Knicks (from Dallas)
25. New York Knicks
26. Washington Wizards (from Clippers via Dallas and Oklahoma City)
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
28. Denver Nuggets
29. Utah Jazz (from Oklahoma City via Toronto and Indiana)
30. Boston Celtics