" Not bad is not it ?
It's French ".
The Americans fall under the spell of Zaccharie Risacher.
The latest Mock Draft from ESPN, a prediction of those who will be the lucky ones in the big NBA lottery which serves as a reference in the USA, places the Frenchman in first position.
This forecast from the American media, closely scrutinized by observers, makes the young prodigy of JL Bourg-en-Bresse the second tricolor to have this honor after a certain Victor Wembanyama last year.
The XXL performances of the 18-year-old winger, voted best player of the month for December in Betclic Elite, impress recruiters across the Atlantic.
Second in the Mock Draft in January, he climbed to the top step by overtaking another Frenchman, Alexandre Sarr, who fell to second place.
Also read: Two days in the life of Victor Wembanyama, back in Brooklyn eight months after the Draft
The best three-point shooter of the Eurocup – author of an impressive 56% – is one of the leaders of the Burgiens, who monopolize the third step of the podium in the championship.
His long-distance skills have attracted NBA scouts, who see him as a player of the future.
Risacher has 10 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal this season in Betclic Elite.
Present at the All-Star Game, he inaugurated his first selection in the all-star game by scoring 14 points and distributing 6 assists.
Son of Stéphane Risacher, former French international, he is considered one of the best French talents of his generation.
🇫🇷 Zacharie Risacher number 1 in the ESPN prediction for the next draft!
💥
🫡 Thanks to its regularity, its address at 3️⃣PTS and its progress, the French coast is rising irresistibly.
⏳ A little over 4 months before the next draft, we followed the nugget of… pic.twitter.com/1ybwRanAf6
— SKWEEK (@skweektv) February 10, 2024
In January, the last number 1 in the Draft, Victor Wembanyama, showered praise on his future partner in the France team.
“He’s probably at the top of his draft class.
I don't know anyone who is more talented than him in this draft class.
» Strong words from the nugget of the San Antonio Spurs, who has already conquered the NBA with historic statistics, like his first triple double against the Toronto Raptors, this Tuesday, February 13.
Three French people in the Top 10
In an interview with Le Parisien in December, he returned to his American ambitions.
“I give myself the means to make this a goal.
It’s the toughest championship in the world, the highest level imaginable, where the best are, he explains.
I'm ambitious, so the goal is to get drafted as high as possible and then have a role on a team.
»
In June 2024, he could be the second Frenchman to be selected in first place.
With their last place in the Western Conference, Wembanyama's Spurs are among the favorites to recover the first choice, enough to form a very promising duo.
Behind him, Alexandre Sarr, who plays in Australia with the Perth Wildcats, should be next, according to ESPN.
In 8th place, Choletais Tidjane Salaün is also one of the talents who could be among the best young people of the next vintage.
Also read “At the beginning, I simply wanted to imitate my father”: Zaccharie Risacher, the new star of French basketball
Melvin Ajinça, the cousin of former NBA player Alexis Ajinça, is also in the list, where he appears in 31st place.
The Mock Draft should still move between now and this summer, but one thing is certain: the French are popular in the United States, and they could make history by positioning two players in the Top 3 in June.