27 June 2024 , 06:00
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The NBA Draft 2024 has finally unveiled the future stars set to hit the courts with their new teams after an electrifying first day at the Brooklyn Nets' Barclays Center.
Zaccharie Risacher, Alexandre Sarr and towering giant Zach Edey were among the top prospects whose nerves were on edge as they awaited their professional fates in the world of basketball. Bronny James, offspring of basketball royalty LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, also threw his hat into the ring. With LeBron approaching his 40s this December, he's keen to share the court with the 19-year-old before he hangs up his sneakers.
However, Bronny didn't hear his name called on Wednesday. Instead, Zaccharie Risacher was the name on everyone's lips as the Atlanta Hawks snagged him first.
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Overwhelmed with emotion, Risacher gushed to ESPN: "Its a blessing, you know? So exciting. There's a lot of things and emotions right now. So I don't know what to say but it's definitely special and I'm so blessed. My family's here, I'm so happy to have them here with my friends. This is amazing. I don't know what to say. It's so special."
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Alexandre Sarr was next, going second to the Washington Wizards, while the Memphis Grizzlies made Zach Edey their ninth pick. Praising Edey's unique presence on the court, Phoenix Suns' Bradley Beal had previously told the Mirror: "To be 7-foot-4, it's already a difference maker, there's nothing you can do against him on the floor. He's dominant, he's the national player of the year and in the conversation every year for a reason.
"He could have been drafted last year, but he held back and now he's dominated college again. He's constantly proving himself, probably against a lot of naysayers who don't believe he can withstand that next step. But for me, I think he has a really good chance of making an impact in the league."
Zaccharie Risacher was picked first in the 2024 NBA Draft (AFP via Getty Images)Heres who made the cut - the complete list of first-round selections from this year's NBA Draft....
- Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks, France
- Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards, France
- Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets, Kentucky
- Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs, UConn
- Ron Holland II, Detroit Pistons, G League Ignite
- Tidjane Salaun, Charlotte Hornets, France
- Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers, UConn
- Rob Dillingham, Minnesota Timberwolves (via San Antonio Spurs), UConn
- Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies, Purdue
- Cody Williams, Utah Jazz, Colorado
- Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls, G League Ignite
- Nikola Topic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Serbia
- Devin Carter, Sacramento Kings, Providence
- Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards (via Portland Trail Blazers), Pittsburgh
- Kel'el Ware, Miami Heat, Indiana
- Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers, Duke
- Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers, Tennessee
- Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic, Colorado
- Ja'Koke Walter, Toronto Raptors, Baylor
- Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers, California
- Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans, Baylor
- DaRon Holmes II, Denver Nuggets (via Phoenix Suns), Dayton
- AJ Johnson, Milwaukee Bucks, Illawarra Hawks
- Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards (via New York Knicks), Miami
- Pacome Dadiet, New York Knicks, France
- Dillon Jones, Oklahoma City Thunder (via Washington Wizards), Weber State
- Terrence Shannon, Minnesota Timberwolves, Illinois
- Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns (via Denver Nuggets), Virginia
- Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz, USC
- Baylor Scheierman, Boston Celtics, Creighton