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France Makes History by Having Three Players in the Top 10 of the NBA Draft, Joining the U.S.
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    France Makes History by Having Three Players in the Top 10 of the NBA Draft, Joining the U.S.

    The NBA may have to rethink the timing of its annual draft. Not the month, but a tweak to the hour the picks start coming off the board.

    Paris is six hours ahead of New York, so French basketball fans eager to see history had to stay up into the wee hours of Thursday morning to see France join the United States as the only countries with three players drafted in the top 10 picks of an NBA draft.

    And as the first round was a coming to an end, a total of four Frenchmen had been drafted: Zaccharie Risacher. Alex Sarr. Tidjane Salaun. Pacome Dadiet.

    The question going into Wednesday night’s draft was whether Risacher or Sarr would hear their name called as the No. 1 pick overall by Commissioner Adam Silver, and become the second straight Frenchman to be take first overall on the heels of last season’s eventual Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyana.

    Atlanta made Risacher that player.

    Washington took 7-footer Sarr at No. 2, making a second straight draft the Wizards selected a player from France. Then the NBA draft really took on a decidedly French flavor with Charlotte helping France make history by selecting Salaun at No. 6 overall.

    France made it a quartet when the New York Knicks drafted Dadiet as the 25th pick overall. Dadiet, who turns 19 in July, is a developing player at 6-8 who can finish at the rim. He is also a versatile defender who has been honing his game in Germany.

    Risacher (pronounced Ree-zah-shay) said it means a lot for all of France and the country’s booming basketball pipeline to the NBA.

    “I know that a lot of France stayed up all night to watch this,” Risacher said.” That’s amazing for French basketball, and I’m so happy to be a part of something special for my country. I think it’s going to be more players who will be able to get to the NBA and do something great. I’m really proud to be a part of it.”

    This is the second straight year Washington went for a player from France. The Wizards traded up a spot a year ago, swapping lottery picks with Indiana to land Bilal Coulibaly.

    The timing couldn’t be better for France, which is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics.

    The country Tony Parker win four NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs are a true gold medal threat thanks in part to Minnesota center Rudy Gobert, this season’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

    Charlotte general manager Jeff Peterson said France truly loves basketball and the NBA now is reaping a generation influenced by plyers like Parker, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum.

    “It’s a very, very strong country when it comes to basketball,” Peterson said. “So I just think that this younger generation, they’ve grown up and they’ve seen it and they’ve loved it. And those guys have been great role models for them.”

    Salaun said French players have improved with their impact now being felt in the world.

    “It’s just the beginning,” Salaun said.

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    In a historic moment for French basketball, three players from France were selected in the top 10 of the NBA Draft, joining the ranks of the United States as a powerhouse in producing top basketball talent.

    The first French player to be selected was guard Killian Hayes, who was chosen by the Detroit Pistons with the seventh overall pick. Hayes, who played professionally in Germany before entering the draft, is known for his scoring ability and playmaking skills. He is expected to make an immediate impact for the Pistons and help lead their young core of players.

    The second French player to be selected was forward Isaac Okoro, who was taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the fifth overall pick. Okoro, a versatile defender and athletic wing player, is seen as a potential cornerstone for the Cavaliers as they look to rebuild their roster and return to playoff contention.

    The third French player to be selected was center Aleksej Pokusevski, who was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 17th overall pick before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Pokusevski, a skilled big man with shooting range and playmaking ability, is considered a high-upside prospect with the potential to develop into a star player in the NBA.

    With these three players being selected in the top 10 of the NBA Draft, France has solidified its place as a rising basketball powerhouse on the international stage. The country has been producing top talent in recent years, with players like Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier making significant impacts in the NBA.

    The success of these French players in the NBA Draft is a testament to the growing popularity and development of basketball in France. With more and more young players taking up the sport and receiving top-level coaching and training, it is likely that we will continue to see French players making waves in the NBA for years to come.

    In joining the United States as a country with three players in the top 10 of the NBA Draft, France has made history and shown that it is a force to be reckoned with in the world of basketball. Fans of the sport can look forward to watching these talented French players compete at the highest level and represent their country on the global stage.