By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK — First, Victor Wembanyama, now Zaccharie Risacher.
These days, American college players have to wait their turn in the NBA draft. It’s someone else’s time at the top.
Vive la France!
The Atlanta Hawks took Risacher with the No. 1 pick on Wednesday night and France landed three players in the top six in a historic night for the country.
“That’s amazing,” Risacher said. “We try to represent our country and so, glad to be a part of it. You know there is more players coming in.”
Risacher doesn’t come with the enormous height or hype of 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 fellow Frenchman Alex Sarr 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.
“Shows the amount of talent we have in France,” Sarr said. “Really excited for Zach. I think our national team is going to be really good.”
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 UConn center Donovan 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 the draft is under French rule.
Stephon Castle of the two-time reigning national champion Huskies made it two straight college freshmen when San Antonio took him at No. 4, the Spurs’ first of two picks in the top 10. They also held the No. 8 selection – though they dealt the rights to that pick, Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, to Minnesota.
But the Spurs are holding onto Castle, who had a phone call with Wembanyama and can now throw passes to him to ease his transition from Dan Hurley in his old home to Gregg Popovich in his new one.
“I was just playing for the best coach in college basketball and now flipping to the NBA and going to play for a legendary coach like Coach Pop, it’s a blessing,” Castle said.
The Detroit Pistons took Ron Holland of the G League Ignite with the fifth pick before the Hornets took Tidjane Salaun, who played last year for Cholet Basket in France.
“I think the basketball in France is improved that’s why we are here in this draft,” Saluan said.
Clingan, who won titles in both seasons in Storrs, finally went to Portland at No. 7.
The draft moved to a two-night format this year, with the first round being held as usual at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the second round to be held Thursday at ESPN’s Seaport District studios.
The green room was filled with a number of unfamiliar faces who will head to the NBA from other leagues or other countries. A player who would have been one of the most recognizable was not in the arena: Zach Edey, the two-time AP Player of the Year from Purdue, was taken at No. 9 by Memphis.
Another All-American, Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, went lower than predicted, after dropping from an expected lottery pick to the Lakers at No. 17.
The Knicks had back-to-back picks as the round dragged toward the finish, but their fans had much more to cheer with the moves they made before the draft. New York made a deal to acquire Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn on Tuesday, then got OG Anunoby to agree to stay with the team on a five-year contract worth more than $210million on Wednesday.
Bronny James was not drafted in the first round, though LeBron James’ son had one of his USC teammates taken just before the night ended, with Isaiah Collier going to Utah with the No. 29 selection.
The first round then wrapped up with the NBA champion Boston Celtics taking Baylor Scheierman from Creighton.
The complete list of 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) — Rob Dillingham, guard, 6-1, 164, Kentucky
Scouting report: Shows potential as a scoring playmaker after one college season. Averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists. Shot 44.4% from 3-point range while attempting 4.5 per game. Turns 20 in January. Needs to add strength to undersized frame. Dillingham is being traded to Minnesota for a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a protected 2030 pick swap.
9. Memphis Grizzlies — Zach Edey, center, 7-4, 299, Purdue
Scouting report: The two-time AP men’s national player of the year, he led the Boilermakers to the NCAA Tournament title game in April after leading the nation in scoring (25.2) and ranking second in rebounding (12.2). He is a massive presence with a 7-11 wingspan. Defensive mobility is a question.
10. Utah Jazz — Cody Williams, forward, 6-7, 178, Colorado
Scouting report: Versatile wing shot 55.2% overall and 41.5% from 3-point range in his lone season. He has a 7-1 wingspan but needs to get stronger. Must improve as a rebounder (3.0), highlighted by grabbing three rebounds in 64 minutes across three NCAA Tournament games. McDonald’s All-American and program’s first five-star recruit in more than two decades.
11. Chicago Bulls — Matas Buzelis, forward, 6-9, 197 pounds, G League Ignite
Scouting report: Exploits matchups, scoring over smaller defenders and driving past bigger ones. Can attack off the dribble or score on stepbacks. Averaged 2.1 blocked shots with a 6-10 wingspan. Shot just 27.3% from 3-point range. He is a 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 size and playmaking ability at the point. Has vision to set up teammates with the capability of creating his own shot, attacking the paint and finishing at the rim. Outside shot needs work. Health concerns remain after two knee injuries.
13. Sacramento Kings — Devin Carter, guard, 6-2, 193, Providence
Scouting report: Boosted scoring (19.7) and 3-point shooting (.377) last season. Tied for best max vertical leap (42 inches) and standing vertical (35) at the combine. Spent two years with 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: Averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists as one-and-done floor leader with all-around potential. Had an opening-night triple-double. Must improve outside shot (32% from 3-point range).
15. Miami Heat — Kel’el Ware, center, 7-0, 230, Indiana
Scouting report: Oregon transfer averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 rebounds as an every-game starter for the Hoosiers. Made 17 of 40 3-point attempts (42.5%). Has a 7-5 wingspan and tested well in agility at the combine. Must improve at the foul line (63.4% last year). Turned 20 in April.
16. Philadelphia 76ers — Jared McCain, guard, 6-2, 203, Duke
Scouting report: The former Corona Centennial High standout was a one-and-done player who rapidly became the Blue Devils’ toughest competitor. He made 41% of his 3-point attempts and 89% of his free throws. He had two 30-point showings in the NCAA Tournament.
17. Lakers — Dalton Knecht, guard, 6-5, 212, Tennessee
Scouting report: Big scorer in off-the-bounce and catch-and-shoot scenarios. First-team AP All-American who averaged 21.7 points and shot 39.7% from behind the arc. Active player who tested well at the combine in agility. Uncertainty about his athleticism and mobility defensively. Turned 23 in April.
18. Orlando Magic — Tristan da Silva, forward, 6-8, 217, Colorado
Scouting report: Veteran scorer from Germany with 98 career starts. Averaged 15.9 points while shooting 39.5% on 3s in a leading role the past two years. Turned 23 last month.
19. Toronto Raptors (from Indiana) — Ja’Kobe Walter, guard, 6-4, 198, Baylor
Scouting report: One-and-done prospect who fearlessly launched from behind the arc. Took 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, Cal
Scouting report: Took a big leap offensively after going from Texas to Texas Tech and finally Cal last season. Averaged 19.6 points last season, up from 10.7 the previous year. Made 37.8% of 3s over the past two seasons.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (from Milwaukee) — Yves Missi, center, 6-11, 229, Baylor
Scouting report: Bouncy, raw prospect from Cameroon. Flashed athleticism as a lob threat (61.4% shooting) and shot blocker (1.5 per game) in lone college season. 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 last two seasons. Expanded range last year (38.6% on 3s). Averaged 2.1 blocks over three-year career with 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 Australian-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 shooter with size. Hit 40.8% of 3s in lone college season but did little inside the arc (28 of 81 made shots, 34.6%).
25. New York Knicks — Pacome Dadiet, forward, 6-8, 217, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Scouting report: A developing player from France with potential as a rim finisher with 3-point range. Projects as a versatile defender. Turns 19 in July.
26. Washington Wizards (from 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 by averaging 10.5 boards over his last three seasons. Shot just 32% from 3-point range over his four-year career.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves — Terrence Shannon Jr., guard, 6-6, 219, Illinois
Scouting report: AP third-team All-American last year as nation’s No. 3 scorer (23.0). Downhill attacker who shot 36% from 3-point range. Texas Tech transfer who blossomed as a scorer in two seasons with Illinois. Recently found not guilty on a rape charge to resolve a legal case closely watched by scouts.
28. Denver Nuggets — Ryan Dunn, forward, 6-6, 214, Virginia
Scouting report: Massive defensive potential with nearly 7-2 wingspan. Can protect the rim (2.3 blocks) or the perimeter. Offensive game 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 strong frame and quickness. Averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists as a one-and-done floor leader. Averaged 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% from behind the arc in two seasons with the Bluejays. He lacks elite athleticism and must develop defensively.
