Listen to this articleThe Oklahoma City Thunder ended up with two players in the first round of the NBA draft.
OKC selected Nikola Topic, a 6-foot-7 Serbian guard, with the 12th overall pick. The 18-year-old was considered a top-five pick because of his passing and shooting ability.
But in January, Topic suffered a left knee injury and reinjured it in April. The partial tear of his ACL will keep him out next season.
The Thunder made the move after sending Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in a trade for Alex Caruso last week. Giddey was OKC’s first-round pick (No. 6 overall) in 2021.
“I wouldn’t specifically compare him to Josh or any other player that way, but guys who are big for their position and who treat the game well, those guys can play pretty much anywhere on the field in different combinations.” Thunder general manager Sam Presti » declared Wednesday evening after the first round. “I don’t think there are enough people capable of making decisions on the ground. When you combine that with size, it definitely increases the effectiveness or the likelihood that those decisions will be good ones.
Later Wednesday night, OKC traded Dillon Jones from Weber State for five future second-round draft picks. The 2.08 m, 106 kg forward last year became the first player in more than 30 years to total 600 points, 300 rebounds, 160 assists and 60 steals in a single season.
The Thunder waited their turn after four French players were selected in the top 10: Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Tidjane Salaun and Pacome Dadiet.
The question before the first round was whether Risacher or Sarr would hear his name called as the first overall pick by commissioner Adam Silver, and become the second consecutive Frenchman to be chosen first overall after the eventual Rookie of the Year from last season, Victor Wembanyama.
Atlanta made Risacher that player.
“If I had to give him advice, it would be to just be yourself, don’t change anything, don’t let pressure change you, don’t let fame, money or anything else influence you,” Wembanyama said at a French team news conference in Paris on Thursday ahead of the Olympics. “But I know Zach, he’s got what it takes.”
Washington took Sarr, 2.13 m, second overall, making him the second French player selected in the draft. The NBA draft then took a decidedly French turn, with Charlotte helping France make history by selecting Salaun sixth overall.
France made it a quartet when the New York Knicks selected Dadiet with the 25th overall pick. Dadiet, who turns 19 in July, is a developing 6-8 player who can finish at the rim. He’s also a versatile defender who is honing his game in Germany.
Risacher (pronounced Ree-zah-shay) said it means a lot to all of France and the country’s burgeoning basketball pipeline to the NBA.
“I know a big part of France stayed up all night to watch this,” Risacher said. “It’s incredible for French basketball and I’m so happy to be a part of something special for my country. I think more players will be able to make it to the NBA and do something great. I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
This is the second straight year Washington has drafted a French player. The Wizards traded up a spot a year ago, trading lottery picks with Indiana to get Bilal Coulibaly. Washington general manager Will Dawkins said he felt like he got the same question about the Frenchman’s talent a year ago.
“It just keeps getting better,” Dawkins said. “And I’ll be honest, it’s going to continue to get better, because new players are coming. »
The timing couldn’t be better for France, which is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The country where Tony Parker won four NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs is a real threat for the gold medal, thanks in part to Minnesota center Rudy Gobert, voted NBA defensive player of the year this season.
“It’s unbelievable,” Gobert said Thursday at the French team’s press conference. “Think about it. Three French players in the top six of the draft. Ten years ago, nobody would have believed that.
“I’m very happy for each of them. I’m very happy for the future of French basketball and the future of this sport,” Gobert added. “It shows that a kid from anywhere in the world can dream that he can be a number one pick or he can be anything he wants. It’s a beautiful thing.
Charlotte general manager Jeff Peterson said France really loves basketball and the NBA is now harvesting a generation influenced by players like Parker, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum.
“It’s a very strong country when it comes to basketball,” Peterson said. “So I think this younger generation grew up and they saw it and they loved it. And these guys have been great role models for them. »
Salaun said French players have improved and their impact is now being felt around the world.
“This is just the beginning,” Salaun said.
