2024 NBA Draft Grades: A Round-by-Round Analysis

Round 1: The Frenchmen Come Out Swinging

The 2024 NBA Draft kicked off in Brooklyn with a bang, as three French natives were selected within the first six picks. Zaccharie Risacher, a 6'7" forward, was the first Frenchman off the board, going to the Atlanta Hawks with the fifth overall pick. Ousmane Dieng, a 6'8" forward, followed shortly after, going to the Oklahoma City Thunder with the sixth pick. And finally, Victor Wembanyama, the most highly touted prospect in the draft, went to the Utah Jazz with the first overall pick.

The selection of these three Frenchmen is a testament to the growing strength of French basketball. In recent years, France has produced a number of NBA stars, including Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, and Evan Fournier. The continued success of these players has helped to raise the profile of French basketball, and it is now clear that the country is a major force in the international game.

Round 2: The Rest of the World

While the first round was dominated by French prospects, the second round saw a more diverse group of players selected. The Toronto Raptors selected Juan Nunez, a 6'7" forward from Spain, with the 33rd overall pick. The New York Knicks selected Matteo Spagnolo, a 6'4" guard from Italy, with the 34th overall pick. And the Los Angeles Lakers selected Roko Prkacin, a 6'9" forward from Croatia, with the 35th overall pick.

The selection of these players shows that the NBA is becoming increasingly globalized. In the past, the vast majority of NBA players came from the United States. However, in recent years, the league has seen an influx of international players. This trend is likely to continue in the years to come, as the NBA continues to search for the best talent from around the world.