For the second straight year, French prospects are set to dominate the conversation on NBA Draft night.
One year after Victor Wembanyama went first overall to the San Antonio Spurs, France's Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher are both in contention to go first in the 2024 NBA Draft. If either Sarr or Risacher is selected first overall, it will be the second time international prospects from the same country go No. 1 in consecutive years.
While Sarr and Risacher hail from France, they've taken different paths to become top prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft class. Here's how theirs compare and contrast with Wembanyama's journey to become No. 1.
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Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher vs. Victor Wembanyama: Career comparison
Sarr, a native of Toulouse, France, moved to Spain at 14 to join Real Madrid's youth team. After two years in Spain, Sarr moved to the United States to join Overtime Elite's development program in Atlanta.
While he thrived with Overtime Elite, Sarr left the program after two seasons to join the Perth Wildcats as part of the Next Stars program in Australia's NBL. In Australia, Sarr showed why he is in consideration to be selected first, flashing an impressive skillset for his 7-foot frame.
Risacher was born in Spain but grew up in Lyon, France. At 15, he joined ASVEL's youth program and made his senior team debut one year later at 16.
At 18, Risacher signed a professional contract with ASVEL but was loaned to JL Bourg for the 2023-24 season. Risacher was named the LNB Pro A Best Young Player of the 2023-24 season, an honor given to Wembanyama in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Wembanyama was born in Le Chesnay, France and joined the youth system of France's Nanterre 92 at 10. At 14, Wembanyama was loaned to FC Barcelona for a tournament but declined further opportunities with the club, returning to France and the Nanterre 92 youth program.
Wembanyama made his LNB Pro A debut at 16 and would soon go viral from a two-on-two game with the NBA's Rudy Gobert and Vincent Poirier. Wembanyama signed with ASVEL at 17 and spent one season with the club before opting out to join Metropolitans 92 in 2022.
After he was named Best Scorer, Best Defender and Most Valuable Player of LNB Pro A in 2022-23, Wembanyama declared for the NBA Draft and was selected first overall by the San Antonio Spurs.
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Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher vs. Victor Wembanyama: Stats comparison
| Wembanyama | Sarr | Risacher | |
| Hometown | Le Chesnay, France | Toulouse, France | Lyon, France |
| Birth date | Jan. 4, 2004 | April 26, 2005 | April 8, 2005 |
| Club | Metropolitans 92 (LNB–A) | Perth Wildcats (NBL) | JL Bourg (LNB–A)* |
| Height | 7-4 | 7-0 | 6-9 |
| Weight | 210 lbs. | 224 lbs. | 195 lbs. |
| MPG | 32.1 | 17.2 | 22.0 |
| PPG | 21.6 | 9.7 | 10.1 |
| RPG | 10.4 | 4.4 | 3.8 |
| APG | 2.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| SPG | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
| BPG | 3.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
| TO/G | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| FG% | 47.0 | 52.0 | 43.9 |
| 3P% | 27.5 | 29.8 | 35.2 |
| FT% | 82.8 | 71.4 | 74.0 |
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Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher vs. Victor Wembanyama: Career timelines
Alexandre Sarr
| April 26, 2005 | Born in Bordeaux, France |
| 2019-2021 | Real Madrid youth program |
| 2021-23 | Overtime Elite |
| 2023-24 | Perth Wildcats (NBL Next Stars) |
| 2024 | Declares for 2024 NBA Draft |
Zaccharie Risacher
| April 8, 2005 | Born in Malaga, Spain |
| 2020 | ASVEL youth program |
| 2023 | Signs pro contract with ASVEL, loaned to JL Bourg |
| 2023-24 | JL Bourg (LNB Pro A) |
| 2024 | Declares for 2024 NBA Draft |
Victor Wembanyama
| Jan. 4, 2004 | Born in Le Chesnay, France |
| 2014-2021 | Nanterre 92 youth program |
| 2018 | FC Barcelona youth program (loan) |
| 2021-22 | ASVEL (LNB Pro A/EuroLeague) |
| 2022-23 | Metropolitans 92 (LNB Pro A) |
| 2023 | Declares for 2023 NBA Draft |
| 2023-Present | San Antonio Spurs |
