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Live updates: 2024 NBA draft
After Victor Wembanyama became the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA draft, he went on to win the Rookie of the Year award. This year, two more Frenchmen — Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher — are projected top picks. Here’s what else you need to know about Wednesday’s draft.
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The 2024 NBA draft will determine basketball’s future stars. French 7-footer Alexandre Sarr has widely been projected to follow the footsteps of fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 pick. Kentucky reserve guard Reed Sheppard, voted the Southeastern Conference’s top freshman by coaches after leading the league in steals, is also a top player to watch.
Here’s what to know:
- When and where is the draft taking place? This year’s draft will begin at 8 p.m. ET and be held at the Barclays Center in New York.
- Who are the big players to look out for? In addition to Alex Sarr, UConn’s Donovan Clingan, Purdue’s Zach Edey, Kyle Filipowski from Duke, Indiana’s Kel’el Ware and Baylor’s Yves Missi are all key players to watch. See the AP’s mock draft for more forecasts.
- What about LeBron James’ son, Bronny? The Boston Celtics already have a loaded roster, so there’s room to take a chance on LeBron’s son. He had a so-so freshman season at USC, averaging 4.8 points and 27% shooting from 3-point range, but has the potential to be a solid pro.
Here’s the first round NBA draft order
1. Atlanta
2. Washington
3. Houston (from Brooklyn)
4. San Antonio
5. Detroit
6. Charlotte
7. Portland
8. San Antonio (from Toronto)
9. Memphis
10. Utah
11. Chicago
12. Oklahoma City (from Houston)
13. Sacramento
14. Portland (from Golden State via Boston and Memphis)
15. Miami
16. Philadelphia
17. Los Angeles Lakers
18. Orlando
19. Toronto (from Indiana)
20. Cleveland
21. New Orleans (from Milwaukee)
22. Phoenix
23. Milwaukee (from New Orleans)
24. New York (from Dallas)
25. New York
26. Washington (from LA Clippers via Dallas and Oklahoma City)
27. Minnesota
28. Denver
29. Utah (from Oklahoma City via Toronto and Indiana)
30. Boston
NBA mock draft: AP projects Frenchman Sarr at No. 1
This year’s NBA draft has no consensus No. 1 pick and could be the weakest in recent memory.
French 7-footer Alex Sarr has widely been projected to follow the footsteps of fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 pick, yet is by no means a lock to go in the top spot.
Sarr doesn’t have the all-around skills of Wembanyama, but then no one really does. He’s still extremely talented, an athletic 7-footer who can wreck rims and the hopes of opposing shooters. AP Basketball Writers John Marshall and Brian Mahoney think he’s most likely to be the Atlanta Hawks’ pick at No. 1.
▶See how the rest of the first round could shake out
How to watch the 2024 NBA draft
The Atlanta Hawks go on the clock shortly after 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, to be followed by the rest of the first round. The second round will take place Thursday night.
FIRST ROUND
Television: ABC coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET
Streaming: ABC.com and the ABC app
SECOND ROUND
Television: ESPN coverage starts at 4 p.m. ET
Streaming: ABC.com and the ABC app
NBA draft preview: It could be a special night for France
Alex Sarr was born in France and spent last season playing in Australia. Zaccharie Risacher was born in Spain and is coming off a breakout season in France.
The next step in their global basketball journey is the NBA, with one of them potentially heading to Atlanta on Wednesday night as the No. 1 pick in the draft.
“We grew up together, competing against each other, and now we are here in New York for the draft and it’s one day to realize our dream, you know?” Risacher said Tuesday. “So this is special.”
It’s a special time for France, which could have the No. 1 pick for a second straight season after Victor Wembanyama went to San Antonio last year amid enormous expectations and lived up to the hype in a Rookie of the Year season.
▶Read AP’s full NBA draft preview