{"id":77864,"date":"2024-05-18T09:14:08","date_gmt":"2024-05-18T13:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=77864"},"modified":"2024-05-18T09:14:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-18T13:14:08","slug":"countrymen-offer-scouting-report-on-international-draft-prospect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/18\/countrymen-offer-scouting-report-on-international-draft-prospect\/","title":{"rendered":"Countrymen Offer Scouting Report on International Draft Prospect"},"content":{"rendered":"

With no clear-cut favorite at No. 1, the 2024 NBA Draft could turn out a few ways.<\/p>\n

As of now, French center Alexandre Sarr is projected to be the top pick in the upcoming draft, which takes place from Jun. 26-27. His countryman, Zaccharie Risacher, is also in the running. A forward prospect playing for JL Bourg in the LNB Elite, France\u2019s top basketball division, Risacher was recently scouted in person<\/a> by the Atlanta Hawks\u2019 front office. The Hawks, who hold the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, can shore up their frontcourt<\/a> with either player.<\/p>\n

With the arrival of 2024 Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama<\/a>, French prospects are now en vogue. Similar to how the rise of Nikola Jokic<\/a> coincided with a heightened interest in Serbian prospects, Wembanyama\u2019s greatness has had an enormous impact on how international players are viewed. Though France has a long history of producing NBA players, from four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert<\/a> to four-time NBA champion Tony Parker<\/a>, they didn\u2019t generate nearly as much interest in or respect for their country\u2019s basketball culture.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the hype behind Wembanyama is so great it may have even played a part in his former teammate being drafted in the lottery.<\/p>\n

Bilal Coulibaly, Alexandre Sarr Offer Zaccharie Risacher Scouting Report<\/h2>\n

Heading into the 2023 NBA Draft, Bilal Coulibaly<\/a> rose up draft boards, teams enticed by his youth and two-way upside.<\/p>\n

However, if Wembanyama hadn\u2019t been beside him that whole time, it\u2019s unclear whether they would have been paying attention at all. Coulibaly wouldn\u2019t be the first prospect to garner attention when scouts came to watch a different player. Nonetheless, it\u2019s interesting to think about just how much Wembanyama might have indirectly influenced Coulibaly\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

A year later and two of the top French prospects are projected to be top-3 draft picks. This time though, it\u2019s not just Wembanyama\u2019s long reach that\u2019s drawing attention to their play. Coulibaly, now with the Washington Wizards after they drafted him seventh overall, is doing his part as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cRisacher, he’s got a lot of talent<\/a>. A lot of talent… Great shotmaker, can create his own shot. Really good player,\u201d Coulibaly tells Monumental Sports Network\u2019s Chase Hughes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say he’s a great shooter,\u201d he adds. \u201cHe can put the ball in the basket at any time; in the paint, 3-pointers…\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently averaging 10.7 points per game on 38.8 percent from 3, Risacher is a dynamic shot-maker. Converting his scoring to its per 36 counterpart (16.9) helps highlight this. Adept at creating scoring opportunities of the dribble with his ball-handling, finishing ability, and touch on pull-up jumpers, he\u2019s a three-level scorer.<\/p>\n