The NBA is abuzz with French talent, as some of the league’s top players and rising stars hail from France. From the reigning rookie of the year, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, to the four-time defensive player of the year, Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, French players are making their mark on the basketball world.
This year’s NBA draft saw an influx of French talent, with the No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher going to the Atlanta Hawks, the No. 2 pick Alex Sarr heading to the Washington Wizards, and the No. 6 pick Tidjane Salaün joining the Charlotte Hornets. These young players are poised to make their mark in the league and continue the legacy of French basketball excellence.
“It’s not just France. It’s Spain, it’s Italy, it’s Germany, all these places, Australia,” said San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “Some of these kids start when they’re 13, 14, 15 years old, and they go to these clubs. They leave their families, go to the clubs. They go to school in the mornings and they play basketball in the afternoon. And they learn individual skills, they learn the team skills, how to play. It’s serious stuff. They love the game like we all do here. They’ve got great coaches and over time, there you go.”
The spotlight has been on French basketball for some time, with recent success at the Paris Olympics where the U.S. swept both the men’s and women’s gold medals, defeating France in both finals. Wembanyama, the reigning NBA rookie of the year, has been making waves with his impressive performances on the court, while Gobert continues to dominate as a defensive force.
“It’s been great. It’s been great,” said Risacher of his transition to life in Atlanta. “It’s an adjustment to make, but it’s definitely a great thing to do. I mean, I’m 19 and I have the opportunity to do so much in my life. … I’m super excited, super happy.”
The comparisons between Risacher and Wembanyama are inevitable, as they are both French No. 1 picks in consecutive years. The Hawks are hopeful that Risacher will continue to shine and not be affected by the pressure of such high expectations.
“I’ve tried to kind of articulate what I think is the reality of the situation,” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “You know, we literally won the lottery.”
As the NBA season gears up, fans are eager to see how these French talents will perform on the court. Wembanyama, for one, is excited to see Risacher in action, although he has refrained from offering any specific tips to the young rookie.
The future of French basketball in the NBA looks bright, with a new generation of players poised to take the league by storm. It’s a testament to the talent and dedication of French basketball players, who have worked hard to make a name for themselves on the world stage.
