With the 2024 NBA draft shortly approaching, the gamers who’re projected on the high of the draft are French prospects whom many followers in the US have possible by no means seen play stay; nor do the followers possible know a lot concerning the gamers’ backgrounds that acquired them to the precipice of getting into the NBA.
Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, projected because the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in ESPN’s newest mock draft, are two of the various worldwide gamers who will wait to listen to their names known as throughout this yr’s two-day occasion in New York Metropolis on June 26-27.
The NBA’s last deadline for early entrants to withdraw their names from the draft pool is June 16, a date that the majority impacts worldwide gamers, who aren’t underneath the identical restrictions as school gamers.
Fourteen worldwide gamers have been chosen first total within the draft, most lately Victor Wembanyama of France in 2023 to the San Antonio Spurs. Wembanyama was a much-hyped prospect whose profile was extra well-known than among the 2024 prospects, so for this yr’s draft, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at among the high worldwide gamers, their stats to know, their basketball journeys and some shock details.
Soar to a playerZaccharie Risacher | Alex SarrTidjane Salaun | Nikola Subject | Bobi KlintmanPacome Dadiet | Juan Nunez | Nikola Djurisic
Age: 19 | 6-foot-9 3/4, 195 poundsESPN rankings — Prime 100: No. 1 | Mock draft projection: No. 1
Fast background: Risacher was born in Malaga, Spain, the place his father, Stephane, a former Olympian and a corridor of famer in France, performed within the Euroleague and ACB. Risacher grew up in Lyon, and as a 16-year-old, he grew to become teammates with Victor Wembanyama on Euroleague crew ASVEL.
“I acquired to spend a bit little bit of time with him,” Wembanyama advised Andrew Lopez. “And we have been each actually younger on the time, however again then even generally he practiced with us and he was simply performing some loopy issues by way of expertise. He is positively up there in that draft class. I most likely do not know anyone extra proficient than him on this draft class.”
Starring alongside Alex Sarr on France’s U16, U17 and U19 nationwide groups the previous three summers, Risacher took the same route as Wembanyama in departing ASVEL for a much bigger function within the French league when he joined JL Bourg this previous fall. That transfer paid off, as he averaged 11.1 factors, 4 rebounds in 23 minutes whereas capturing 39% for 3 via 62 contests within the EuroCup and Professional A, going 42-20 in that stretch.
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Stats that stand out: Apart from Wembanyama, no French participant since Tony Parker has scored extra prolifically than Risacher of their first NBA draft-eligible yr.
Wager you did not know: Zaccharie’s sister, Ainhoa Risacher, was named MVP of the FIBA U16 Ladies’s European Championship in 2023, after guiding France to a gold medal.
Scout’s take: Risacher can be a great match on nearly any NBA roster because of his mixture of dimension, transition scoring prowess, defensive versatility, really feel for the sport and talent to shoot off motion, making 39% of his 3-pointers this season. He is a stable rebounder who was tasked with guarding level guards via energy forwards for a Bourg crew that had the No. 1-ranked protection in each the French league and EuroCup, the place he helped his crew make the finals.
Areas for enchancment on the subsequent degree: Seeing most of his offense recognizing up from the corners, within the open court docket, coming off screens and shifting with out the ball, Risacher was tasked with little or no shot creation as he is not a lot of a ball handler in pick-and-roll or isolation conditions, one thing that is not ideally suited contemplating how excessive he is projected to be drafted. He additionally would not have quite a lot of size (6-foot-9½ wingspan) relative to his peak, and he must get stronger. He has shot a profession 71% from the free throw line and 35% from past the 3-point line in 206 video games, so there are questions on how a lot of a shooter he actually is regardless of the massive pattern dimension of 75 video games this previous season.
Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth (Australia)
Age: 19 | 7-foot-1, 224 poundsESPN rankings — Prime 100: No. 2 | Mock draft projection: No. 2
Fast background: Hailing from Bordeaux within the south of France, Sarr has taken a circuitous path to the draft, spending two years in Spain with Actual Madrid, two years in Atlanta with Additional time Elite, after which this previous season within the Australian NBL with the Perth Wildcats. Sarr has lengthy been hailed as one of many high worldwide prospects in his age group, rating among the many best gamers on the FIBA U16 European Championship in 2021 and the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2022.
Stats that stand out: His two-game preseason explosion in opposition to G League Ignite in September, the place he posted 43 factors, 17 rebounds, 12 blocks and 4 assists served as a proof of idea for what makes him a contender for the No. 1 decide.
Wager you did not know: His brother, Olivier, performed school basketball at Wake Forest and Kentucky, and completed this season on a two-way contract with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Scout’s take: At 19 years previous, with a 224-pound body that has vital room for development along with his broad shoulders and well-proportioned lower-body, Sarr has upside to develop into with the strides he has remodeled the previous few years, and he’s particularly promising on the defensive finish. With a 7-4 wingspan, Sarr’s mixture of dimension, size, mobility, defensive versatility and ending potential offers him a simple area of interest he can fill as a vertical spacing large who can shield the rim and slide with guards on the perimeter. The flashes he has proven as a ball handler, passer and perimeter shooter give him actual star potential relying on how he develops, particularly contemplating the shortage of gamers on this mould who can play both the ability ahead or middle place.
Areas for enchancment on the subsequent degree: Sarr lacked a level of assertiveness, physicality and consistency along with his really feel for the sport and total method at a younger age, which triggered skepticism amongst scouts relating to his chance of reaching his full potential, one thing he did a great job of assuaging this previous season within the NBL. Will probably be vital for Sarr to handle these issues as the extent of competitors rises. His productiveness waxed and waned at occasions this season.
Age: 18 | 6-foot-10, 217 poundsESPN rankings — Prime 100: No. 10 | Mock draft projection: No. 8
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Fast background: Born in Orly, a suburb of Paris, Salaun took a really totally different path to the draft than his French counterparts did, making his nationwide crew debut at 18. He wasn’t thought-about a top-tier prospect in his residence nation early on, failing to make it out of coaching camps along with his nationwide crew on the U16 and U17 ranges and having only a temporary expertise at famed French sports activities academy INSEP. He finally departed for Cholet. Salaun grew to become a full-time member of Cholet’s professional crew after he graduated highschool final summer season, one thing his dad and mom insisted on for tutorial functions.
Stats that stand out: Salaun went from enjoying 17 complete minutes final season for Cholet’s professional crew to moving into a big function in each the French league and the FIBA Champions League, averaging 9.6 factors, 4.0 rebounds in 23 minutes. He was the youngest participant in France to see rotation minutes this season in Professional A.
Wager you did not know: Tidjane’s sister, Janelle Salaun, is a nationwide crew participant who helped Villeneuve-d’Ascq make the championship sport of the Euroleague this season. Salaun is one in every of 18 gamers vying for a spot on France’s Paris Olympic crew this summer season.
Scout’s take: At 6-10, Salaun hit 82 3-pointers this season in 60 video games, exhibiting limitless confidence and dynamic shot-making prowess. He hit pull-ups, side-step jumpers and step-backs from properly past the arc. He performs with distinctive depth, flying everywhere in the court docket with spectacular mobility, and he’s tough to shoot over on the perimeter along with his 7-2 wingspan. Turning 19 in August and clearly on a powerful growth trajectory, Salaun’s bodily instruments, perimeter capturing and defensive versatility offers him vital upside to develop into long run.
Areas for enchancment on the subsequent degree: Salaun’s talent degree, really feel for the sport and decision-making are nonetheless in progress contemplating his lack of expertise. He is a crude ball handler and streaky shooter who exhibits questionable consciousness and may be pretty mistake-prone on each ends of the ground. Whichever NBA crew drafts him will must be affected person along with his growth as he had unbelievable highs and excessive lows this season which can be usually on the right track for late bloomers resembling him.
Nikola Subject, PG, Pink Star Belgrade (Serbia)
Age: 18 | 6-foot-7, 203 poundsESPN rankings — Prime 100: No. 9 | Mock draft projection: No. 10
Fast background: Rising up in Novi Unhappy, a suburb of Belgrade, Subject was recognized at a reasonably younger age, being named captain of the Serbian U16 nationwide crew that gained the FIBA European Challengers. His true breakout got here in 2023, through which he had dominant showings in Euroleague’s ANGT after which helped Serbia win the U18 European Championship. He was named MVP.
Stats that stand out: Subject had an outstanding 3½-month stretch to start out the season with Mega MIS that solidified him as a possible top-five decide, averaging 18.6 factors and 6.9 assists per sport and capturing 65% from 2P% within the Adriatic League. It is uncommon to see an 18-year-old guard make that kind of affect at this European degree, particularly along with his scoring effectivity contained in the paint. Sadly, we weren’t in a position to see how his sport interprets to the Euroleague degree after his midseason switch as a pair of knee accidents derailed his season beginning in early January, and continued to hamper him into the pre-draft course of. And on Wednesday, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, confirmed to ESPN that Subject has {a partially} torn ACL.
Wager you did not know: Nikola’s father, Milenko was a 6-foot-9 Euroleague participant who gained a silver medal with Yugoslavia on the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, in addition to gold medals on the FIBA World and European Championships in 1997 and 1998. Milenko performed and coached for Crvena Zvezda (Pink Star).
Scout’s take: Subject has nice dimension for a degree guard with an excellent mixture of ball dealing with, pace-changing speeds out of hesitation strikes, and creativity discovering teammates on the transfer and ending skillfully across the basket. What he lacks in size and explosiveness, he makes up for along with his really feel for the sport, as his potential to get to spots on the ground and make reads out of pick-and-roll is extra superior than any participant on this draft class.
Areas for enchancment on the subsequent degree: Subject has by no means been an excellent shooter, as his 29% 3-point proportion this season was in keeping with his profession common. The truth that he’s such an elite free throw shooter (87%) and exhibits shot-making prowess off the dribble leaves room for optimism. He has struggled at occasions with rangier defenders on switches, one thing we weren’t in a position to study extra about within the Euroleague due to his accidents. Subject’s protection can be a priority, as he has a wingspan (6-5½) shorter than his peak and is not very agile working out of a stance, missing depth at occasions on that finish of the ground.
Age: 21 | 6-foot-10, 212 poundsESPN rankings — Prime 100: No. 24 | Mock draft projection: No. 26
Fast background: A local of Malmo, Sweden, Klintman arrived within the U.S. in 2021, enrolling at Dawn Christian Academy, a prep faculty in Wichita, Kansas. He spent his freshman yr of faculty at Wake Forest earlier than signing with the Cairns Taipans of the Australian NBL.
Stats that stand out: Klintman has wonderful dimension for the wing at slightly below 6-10 in footwear and with a standing attain of 8-10½, each of which ought to permit him to spend time at energy ahead with relative ease as his 212-pound body fills out.
Wager you did not know: No Swedish participant has ever been chosen within the NBA draft’s first spherical.
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Scout’s take: Klintman seems the a part of an NBA wing bodily after which some, exhibiting intriguing versatility along with his perimeter capturing, transition-finishing prowess and defensive versatility. Each crew is theoretically on the lookout for gamers on this mould who can stretch the ground, assault closeouts, get out within the open court docket, and have some playmaking potential getting on the glass and producing turnovers. Klintman has particular upside to faucet into, which he confirmed with the development he created from his freshman season at Wake Forest to Cairns as he acquired off to a considerably later begin than most to enjoying high-level organized basketball.
Areas for enchancment on the subsequent degree: Klintman is considerably of a jack of all trades, grasp of none, as it is not totally clear what he hangs his hat on but. He is a streaky shooter who is not notably dynamic with the best way he will get his jumper off, and he is not a lot of a ball handler to compensate. He tends to loosen up or keep away from contact at occasions on each ends of the ground, and there are some query marks about his really feel for the sport, as he averaged twice as many turnovers as assists this season and was mistake-prone defensively.
Pacome Dadiet, SF, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Age: 18 | 6-foot-9, 217 poundsESPN rankings — Prime 100: No. 38 | Mock draft projection: No. 38
Fast background: From the Parisian suburbs, with roots within the Ivory Coast, Dadiet made his skilled debut simply months after turning 16 years previous, seeing minutes for Paris Basket in Professional A France. In the summertime of 2022, he left for German crew Ratiopharm Ulm, following within the footsteps of former Detroit Pistons participant Killian Hayes, however was hampered by accidents and a contract dispute along with his former membership that prevented him from seeing a lot motion. This season he stepped right into a stable 15-minute per-game function as an 18-year-old competing within the EuroCup and German BBL, rising in effectiveness because the season moved on.
Stats that stand out: Dadiet completed the season averaging 9.1 factors and three.6 rebounds in 17 minutes, capturing 84% for two and 43% for 3 over his last 10 video games. In 59 video games, he shot 64% for two and 36% for 3.
Wager you did not know: Dadiet grew up enjoying in a small French membership known as Saint-Charles Charenton alongside fellow 2024 draft prospects Tidjane Salaun, Armel Traore and Mohamed Diawara. The membership beforehand performed a task in creating NBA gamers Evan Fournier and Moussa Diabate, in addition to projected 2025 NBA draft decide Nolan Traore.
Scout’s take: Dadiet has wonderful dimension for a wing at 6-foot-9 and good scoring instincts for each ending across the rim and making pictures along with his toes set and pulling up off the dribble. He discovered methods to attain comparatively prolifically this season going up in opposition to a high-level competitors with good effectivity, making notable strides because the season moved on. He is one of many youngest prospects on this draft, turning 19 on July 27.
Areas for enchancment on the subsequent degree: Dadiet is a mean athlete, ball handler and passer, placing strain on himself to develop into a high-level shooter to carve out a constant area of interest in an NBA rotation. He is a profession 31% 3-point shooter however has transformed 79% of his free throw makes an attempt and has proven actual progress along with his shot-making prowess this season. Dadiet’s protection was the principle factor holding him again from enjoying extra minutes for Ulm regardless of his sturdy scoring manufacturing. He struggles to protect faster gamers on an island, will get pushed round by stronger gamers, and would not have a lot size or agility to get again into performs when beat. Like many younger gamers, Dadiet’s off-ball protection is poor, getting misplaced and falling asleep in his stance continuously with common consciousness. Dadiet is telling groups he’s not involved in being stashed in Europe subsequent season, insisting on being dropped at the NBA instantly by the crew that drafts him. For that motive, he may elect to withdraw his identify on the June 16 worldwide deadline.
Pacome Dadiet on the NBA Draft Mix in Treviso, Italy
“I’ve numerous exercises scheduled. I am unable to identify all of them. I am a pure scorer. I can create my very own shot and make pictures. With extra space, it will likely be simpler. Defensively, off the ball, is the place I would like to enhance.” pic.twitter.com/H4bwKg17h7
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 4, 2024
Juan Nunez, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Age: 19 | 6-foot-5, 206 poundsESPN rankings — Prime 100: No. 37 | Mock draft projection: No. 37
Fast background: Nunez has lengthy been thought-about among the many high worldwide prospects in his age group, being named MVP of the Spanish MiniCopa days after turning 14. He performed a key function in Spain knocking off a 15-year-old Wembanyama and France within the FIBA U16 European Championship last, dropping 21 factors within the gold medal sport regardless of being the youngest participant on both squad. He has represented the Spanish nationwide groups at totally different ranges of competitors, together with most notably on the senior degree within the FIBA World Cup final summer season the place he began and performed a key function. Nunez left Actual Madrid shortly after turning 18 and spent the previous two seasons in Germany with Ratiopharm Ulm. He gained the BBL championship in 2023 and stepped right into a beginning function this season, growing his productiveness and effectivity in a number of classes.
Stats that stand out: Nunez ranked as a top-3 passer within the EuroCup this season with 5.7 assists per sport, slating second on a per-minute foundation.
Wager you did not know: Nunez is juggling nationwide crew duties with the NBA pre-draft course of, as he has already been summoned to hitch Spain’s coaching camp in preparation for the Olympic qualifying match June 10, one thing that may finally pressure him to withdraw from the NBA draft. He carried out two pre-draft exercises with the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves previous to attending the draft mix in Treviso, Italy, and can head straight to Spain’s coaching camp from there, the place he’ll compete with Ricky Rubio and Lorenzo Brown as the principle level guards on Spain’s roster.
Scout’s take: Nunez has good dimension for a degree guard at 6-foot-5 with excellent ballhandling and playmaking potential. He has an excellent really feel for the sport and among the greatest imaginative and prescient, creativity and aptitude for pick-and-roll reads of any participant on this class. Nunez made progress as a finisher, defender and decision-maker this season, even when he nonetheless has loads of room to enhance in these areas. He boasts a wealth of expertise at among the highest ranges of competitors you will discover from a participant his age, each in Europe on the FIBA degree and with the Spanish nationwide crew. Nunez additionally presents groups flexibility, as he is one of many few worldwide gamers who’s keen to be stashed in Europe; he is rumored to be returning to Spain to play within the Euroleague subsequent season, probably with Barcelona.
Areas for enchancment on the subsequent degree: Nunez’s leap shot has lengthy been thought-about his greatest weak spot, as he is a profession 27% 3-point shooter and at 60% from the free throw line in 274 video games within the DraftExpress database. He has some off-the-dribble shot-making prowess and hit an improved 32% of his makes an attempt on first rate quantity — however his awkward mechanics and basic streakiness put a damper on his long-term outlook right here. Nunez would not have nice bodily instruments by way of his body, size or explosiveness, which hampers him defensively, an space he hasn’t prioritized from an depth standpoint previous to this season. His really feel for the sport exhibits up in the best way he generates steals at a particularly excessive degree, however he is unlikely to be a significant optimistic on this finish of the ground contemplating his lack of agility working out of a stance.
Juan Nunez on the NBA Draft Mix in Treviso, Italy:
“I labored out for Minnesota and Milwaukee. My plan is to remain (within the draft), however I don’t know. Groups have watched me all through the years. I feel I’ll keep in.” pic.twitter.com/fDjSWHTVQx
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 4, 2024
Nikola Djurisic, Small Ahead, Mega MIS (Serbia)
Age: 20 | 6-foot-8, 209 poundsESPN rankings — Prime 100: No. 39 | Mock draft projection: No. 39
Fast background: Djurisic was recognized as a high-level prospect in Serbia from an early age, being the youngest participant invited to the FIBA U16 European Championship crew as a 15-year-old after which enjoying up two years on the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2021 as properly. He was a projected first-round decide within the 2023 NBA draft after a powerful exhibiting in opposition to eventual top-5 picks Amen and Ausar Thompson in an exhibition sport versus Additional time Elite in Belgrade, however noticed his inventory falter amid inconsistent play. Djurisic’s season acquired off to a considerably rocky begin, however he performed excellent basketball over the ultimate three months, serving to Mega MIS go on a chronic profitable streak that ended with a semifinal loss within the Adriatic League playoffs to eventual champions Pink Star.
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Stats that stand out: Over the ultimate 10 video games of the Adriatic League season, Djurisic averaged 21.9 factors, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals per sport, capturing 55% for two and 46% for 3. His crew went 8-2 in that span.
Wager you did not know: Djurisic’s mom, Vesna Čitaković, gained a bronze medal in volleyball on the 2006 World Championship in Japan, two years after Djurisic was born, and was the captain of the Serbian nationwide crew on the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Djurisic performed many sports activities rising up, together with karate, tennis, swimming and soccer. Djurisic’s father, Dusko Djurisic, performed soccer professionally in Switzerland, France, Israel, Cyprus, Germany and Belgium.
Scout’s take: Djurisic has wonderful dimension for a wing standing over 6-foot-8 in footwear with a powerful body and good bodily instruments. He was a authentic shot-creator for Mega MIS, being tasked with vital pick-and-roll and isolation accountability because of his highly effective first step and explosiveness ending above the rim. He has some passing creativity as properly.
Areas for enchancment on the subsequent degree: Regardless of a red-hot finish to the season, Djurisic shot 32% for 3 total and is a profession 29% 3-point shooter in 174 video games. His shot choice and decision-making may be questionable at occasions, as he ranked among the many Adriatic League’s leaders in turnovers, and his occasional ignorance exhibits up fairly vividly on the defensive finish.
