The 2024 NBA Draft opening night is officially in the books with France emerging as the biggest winner.
Four French youngsters were selected within the top 25 of the 2024 NBA Draft opening day on Thursday (PH time), a telling sign that basketball has become an international game.
Zaccharie Risacher and Alexander Sarr made history as the first ever French pair to go no.1 and 2 in the NBA Draft.
Risacher follows in the footsteps of Spurs’ superstar Victor Wembanyama as the second straight top pick from France.
[ALSO READ: French Takeover: Zaccharie Risacher, Alexander Sarr go 1-2 in 2024 NBA Draft]
After getting drafted, the childhood friends shared a moment in what might be a rivalry in the making.
No. 1 & 2 🇫🇷@Zacch_10 x @alexandresarr_ pic.twitter.com/ZUWmspYWr8
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2024
Risacher and Sarr also showed off their Draft Day drip. French fit did not disappoint.
From 🇫🇷 to ATL!
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 27, 2024
No. 1 pick x @Zacch_10 pic.twitter.com/NjF90e5jLe
All smiles for the @WashWizards' No. 2 pick!
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 27, 2024
📸 @alexandresarr_ pic.twitter.com/9wN7FjkB39
Tidjane Salaün landed inside the top six, selected by the Charlotte Hornets with this emotional moment.
A warm welcome for @TidjaneSalaun from Charlotte 🤞 pic.twitter.com/65yGUALNSS
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 27, 2024
"I am ready to work," an emotional Salaün quickly spoke.
Tidjane also paraded a decent outfit in the probably the biggest day of his young basketball career, the question is can he make some noise in the Buzz City?
Welcome to Buzz City, @TidjaneSalaun! 🐝 pic.twitter.com/CIcH7G6qvs
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 27, 2024
Pacome Dadiet is the final French player to be selected in the opening round, landing at no. 25 by the New York Knicks.
Pacome Dadiet is selected 25th overall by the @nyknicks in the 2024 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2024
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/aPXD33Gf35
No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard went to H-Town. He immediately dabbed up with Houston Rockets star and Fil-American guard Jalen Green.
@Reed_sheppard 🤝 @JalenGreen #NBADraft | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/WkOdNXbCZs
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 27, 2024
The San Antonio Spurs gave Victor Wembanyama a new running mate in the 2024 NBA draft, selecting UConn guard Stephon Castle with the No. 4 overall pick. Castle was emotional upon realizing his childhood dream of making it to the NBA came true.
all the feels 🫶@Ticketmaster | #ad pic.twitter.com/ffrXyTNbzx
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 27, 2024
In case you're wondering what’s going through the mind of some draftees in the middle of the selection process, lottery picks Devin Carter, Donovan Clingan, and Reed Sheppard gave us a glimpse of their real-time reactions.
Unforgettable moments 🥹
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 27, 2024
Devin Carter, Donovan Clingan, and Reed Sheppard were ecstatic to hear their name called to the stage 🔊 pic.twitter.com/mVS4OfDT3D
“55 minutes till my life changes forever man,” Clingan said, who ended up at no. 7 with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Memphis Grizzlies are all pumped up after getting former Purdue big man Zach Edey as the no. 9 overall pick in this year’s draft.
📞 The call that changes your life. - @memgrizz
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) June 27, 2024
Spending it with your hoops family is even better. pic.twitter.com/A8w1x8F3Wh
“LETS GOOOOO,” said Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane in a tweet.
LETS GOOOOO
— Desmond Bane (@DBane0625) June 27, 2024
DPOY winner Jarren Jackson Jr. tweeted an all-salute emojies in four, reiterating his excitement in partnering with a big man in the Grizzlies frontline.
— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) June 27, 2024
And that’s just Day 1, folks.
Round 2 of the 2024 NBA Draft will be held tomorrow, Friday (PH time).
