Alexandre Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher vs. Victor Wembanyama: Comparing 2024 NBA Draft's French prospects to Spurs star

Gilbert McGregor

Alexandre Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher vs. Victor Wembanyama: Comparing 2024 NBA Draft's French prospects to Spurs star image

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.

NBA MOCK DRAFT: Final predictions, latest rumors for top 2024 prospects

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.

MORE: Tracking the latest leaks, news and trade buzz ahead of the NBA Draft

Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher vs. Victor Wembanyama: Stats comparison

 WembanyamaSarrRisacher
HometownLe Chesnay, FranceToulouse, FranceLyon, France
Birth dateJan. 4, 2004April 26, 2005April 8, 2005
ClubMetropolitans 92 (LNB–A)Perth Wildcats (NBL)JL Bourg (LNB–A)*
Height7-47-06-9
Weight210 lbs.224 lbs.195 lbs.
MPG32.117.222.0
PPG21.69.710.1
RPG10.44.43.8
APG2.40.90.9
SPG0.70.50.8
BPG3.01.30.3
TO/G2.61.11.3
FG%47.052.043.9
3P%27.529.835.2
FT%82.871.474.0

MORE: Why there is no consensus on top pick in 2024 NBA Draft

Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher vs. Victor Wembanyama: Career timelines

Alexandre Sarr

April 26, 2005Born in Bordeaux, France
2019-2021Real Madrid youth program
2021-23Overtime Elite
2023-24Perth Wildcats (NBL Next Stars)
2024Declares for 2024 NBA Draft

Zaccharie Risacher

April 8, 2005Born in Malaga, Spain
2020ASVEL youth program
2023Signs pro contract with ASVEL, loaned to JL Bourg
2023-24JL Bourg (LNB Pro A)
2024Declares for 2024 NBA Draft

Victor Wembanyama

Jan. 4, 2004Born in Le Chesnay, France
2014-2021Nanterre 92 youth program
2018FC Barcelona youth program (loan)
2021-22ASVEL (LNB Pro A/EuroLeague)
2022-23Metropolitans 92 (LNB Pro A)
2023Declares for 2023 NBA Draft
2023-PresentSan Antonio Spurs

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.