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The NBA is increasingly being dominated by international players, as evidenced by the last two drafts, where Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher were selected first overall. In fact, foreign players have claimed the MVP award for the past six years.
A notable trend is the rising number of French players in the league. This season, there will be 14 French players in the NBA, and here are the top five to watch.
Top 5 best French players to watch in 2024-25 NBA season ft. Victor Wembanyama
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#5. Tidjane Salaun, Charlotte Hornets
Tidjane Salaun was considered a raw prospect on several draft boards, but his preseason performance proved he’s ready to contribute. He averaged 11.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 27.9 minutes per game while shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc.
If Salaun’s play continues into the regular season, he’ll bring the Charlotte Hornets much-needed energy and join an exciting young core that includes LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Tre Mann.
#4. Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards
Spoiler alert: rookie Alex Sarr is the only Washington Wizards player to make this list, edging out his French teammate, sophomore Bilal Coulibaly.
Sarr had some inconsistent performances in the offseason but finished his three preseason games with averages of 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks per game.
As the No. 2 overall pick, Sarr is expected to get plenty of playing time and will have a great chance to develop on a Wizards team eager to start winning again.
#3. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves traded away Karl-Anthony Towns, leaving four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert as the team’s primary center. Gobert’s ability to adapt to a new-look Timberwolves roster, which now includes Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, will be key to their success.
Last season, Gobert posted averages of 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest, his second-highest minutes per game in his career. He helped France win the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he played with Victor Wembanyama.
#2. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
While it may seem bold to place a rookie above a four-time DPOY, Zaccharie Risacher could be the make-or-break factor for the Atlanta Hawks. Despite being a play-in team, the Hawks managed to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft and selected Risacher.
In just two preseason games, Risacher impressed with averages of 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, shooting 60.0% from the field and 44.4% from 3-point range.
Known for his coveted 3-and-D skillset, the 6-foot-8 Risacher shot 38.7% from deep last season in the French LNB Élite league. Playing alongside star guard Trae Young, Risacher is expected to develop quickly.
Honorable Mentions
Before we unveil the top player, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Nicolas Batum returns to the LA Clippers, and his role will be interesting after the departure of Paul George in free agency.
- Bilal Coulibaly remains a promising player for the Wizards, despite shooting just 22.2% from three in preseason, where he averaged 9.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game.
- Guerschon Yabusele, following his standout Olympic performance, was picked up by the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Ousmane Dieng’s role with OKC will also be one to watch, especially with Isaiah Hartenstein sidelined due to injury.
Now, on to the top player.
#1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama, last season’s Rookie of the Year, had a remarkable first year, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. His potential only continues to grow. The San Antonio Spurs have added veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to help accelerate Wembanyama’s development as they look to improve on their 22-60 record from last year.
Standing 7-foot-4, Victor Wembanyama is tied as the tallest active player in the NBA alongside Memphis Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey. Watching his progress in Year 2 will be fascinating.
Edited by R. Elahi