Overlooked As No.1 Pick, Alex Sarr Breaks Down On Live TV as Wizards Rookie ‘Elated & Relieved’ After NBA Draft 2024

The 2024 NBA Draft Night is finally here and all the prospects look clean and shiny for one of the biggest turning points of their lives. Of course, this year doesn’t have all that hype we had in 2023 with Victor Wembanyama. But it is just as exciting! However, both instances share the similarity of two Frenchmen being touted as the No. 1 picks of the night. Alexandre Sarr of Perth Wildcats was making all the noise when suddenly the momentum shifted to another 19-year-old, Zaccharie Risacher. Also, a French native, Risacher’s offensive capabilities and solid defense seemed to have paved the way for the sudden spike in interest.

Of course, we can’t leave the most popular candidate of the night off the list, now, can we?

Everyone has their eyes peeled for LeBron James Jr., a.k.a Bronny James. Although the USC guard trained with Phoenix, his agent, Rich Paul, had mentioned that teams like Dallas (58) and Minnesota (27 & 37) are interested in Bronny. However, the Lakers with the 17th and 55th picks were mentioned as being very interested in getting the younger James. More on it when it happens.

The Atlanta Hawks opened proceedings and drafted Zaccharie Risacher, and the community was ecstatic. The Washington Wizards then wasted no time taking Alexandre Sarr as the No. 2 pick. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say they even breathed a sigh of relief when the Hawks selected Risacher. In a heavy emotional moment, the 7’0 big man was seen choking up. In fact, his brother, Olivier Sarr, Oklahoma’s two-way contract center, also had a sentimental look on his brother’s big night. “I know how it feels to go undrafted and for me to be able to be a top pick now is really special,” he said to Monica McNutt’s query about his emotional state.

Sarr was, of course, referring to his brother going undrafted in 2021. While the 19-year-old has seen nothing but success in all his endeavors in his journey to the NBA, Alex knew the feeling. So, despite the hype surrounding him, there would naturally be nervousness. Especially, since he was relegated to the No. 2 pick after going as No. 1 for so long. There would be a ‘what if’ scenario running through his head.

While Risacher was the epitome of poise, his fellow Frenchman, Alexandre Sarr, was anything but. Despite being touted as the top prospect for 2024 Draft Night, he had nothing but gratitude. Anyway, nothing of the sort happened. The Wizards have two pieces that can turn out to be a scary defensive duo – Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly. Expect some major ‘wizardry’ from Washington this season! Now that we’ve spoken about the Sarr, time to direct the spotlight towards the No.1 draft pick.

Zaccharie Risacher emotional after 2024’s top pick “blessing”

The 6’8 wing/forward from JL Bourg comes from a family with basketball blood. Born in Spain, the family was always on the move thanks to his father, Stéphane Risacher. The elder Risacher played professionally in France and was a 2000 Summer Olympics silver medalist. Zaccharie’s sister, Aïnhoa Risacher, is also following in her brother and father’s footsteps. Recently, in the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship in 2023, Miss Risacher was named the MVP, after France took home the gold.

So, it’s safe to assume that Zach has the backing of his entire family! “It’s a blessing, you know? So exciting. There are a lot of feelings and emotions right now. I don’t know what to say, but this is definitely special… So blessed. My family is here. This is amazing,” he said in the interview. Risacher walks onto the NBA’s hardwood with a strong two-way capability. Last season, he had 238 3-point attempts and made 39% of them. And the Hawks who are coming off a 36-46 season can deploy him as a lethal wing.

Moreover, he will likely be the centerpiece of his franchise’s rebuild. His quick decision-making as a passer and long-armed defending will take him a long way in the NBA, likely setting him up for long-term success, let’s say, like Jayson Tatum or Luka Doncic.