Who was selected as No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft? All you need to know

The Atlanta Hawks selected forward Zaccharie Risacher as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Risacher became the second consecutive French prospect taken first after the San Antonio Spurs landed center Victor Wembanyama last year.

In what has been labeled a "weak draft," uncertainty remained about who would be Atlanta's choice. Fellow French prospect Alexandre Sarr and UConn big man Donovan Clingan were also considered potential candidates to be the No. 1 pick entering Wednesday.

However, shortly before the draft, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Hawks narrowed down their selection to Risacher and Kentucky sharpshooting guard Reed Sheppard. Wojnarowski added that Risacher "continued to separate himself" leading up to his selection.

The 6-foot-9 forward's mix of height, shooting and athleticism made many scouts view him as a relatively safe pick in a draft filled with uncertainty. Meanwhile, he is only 19 with overseas experience, including playing for France's JL Bourg-en-Bresse of the LNB Elite this past season.

Over 32 appearances, Risacher averaged 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.2 3-pointers per game, shooting 43.9% and 35.2% from 3.

Risacher isn't projected to be a superstar-caliber player. However, he has been widely likened to Sacramento Kings veteran forward Harrison Barnes and Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, two quality starters.

He joins an Atlanta team, led by star point guard Trae Young, coming off a 10th-place (36-46) Eastern Conference finish.

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No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher on how his professional experience benefitted him ahead of 2024 NBA draft

Ahead of this year's draft, Zaccharie Risacher touched on how his overseas experience helped him prepare for the NBA.

Risacher noted that he learned how to be a professional and fit into a competitive team, not just someone trying to boost his stock.

“The fact I was on a professional team, with a role, and I was considered a part of a winning team and not just an NBA prospect, somebody who needed minutes, year-round professional experience, people, training, just made me realize that I could do something great in the season as a player and as a team,” Risacher said.

That experience should benefit Risacher on an Atlanta squad looking to return to the playoffs after a down year. Before this past season, the Hawks made the postseason three consecutive years, including making a 2021 East finals appearance. So, perhaps the addition of Risacher can help the franchise get back on track.

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