New ESPN mock Draft: five French players projected in first round

Victor Wembanyama (7’4″, 21), first pick in 2023, Zaccharie Risacher (6’9″, 20) and Alexandre Sarr (7’1″, 20), two first picks in 2024. French youth basketball is doing very well right now, with our players highly valued by ESPN who placed five of them in the first round of their latest mock draft. While none appear in the Top 10, having this many in the first 30 picks would be historic.

Joan Beringer leads the French contingent, projected at 13th to the Atlanta Hawks alongside his compatriot Risacher. The Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana center, who only started playing basketball less than four years ago, has had a solid season and impressed scouts. ESPN judges that « his tremendous physical tools, combined with his ability to cover ground on the perimeter, switch onto smaller players and protect the rim, show he has significant potential. »

After strong German playoff quarterfinals, Noa Essengue (6’9″, 18) is placed two spots later. The Ulm player is projected 15th to the Oklahoma City Thunder who « wouldn’t have much need for a player like Essengue. The team will likely take a best-available-talent approach if they use all their picks » according to ESPN. Having a great season in both EuroCup and EasyCredit BBL, the lanky forward is highly rated across the Atlantic and his playoff performances in Germany could move him up further.

Long projected as a top prospect, Nolan Traore (6’3″, 18) has seen his stock fall and is now projected 20th to the Miami Heat. While the Saint-Quentin point guard says this drop motivates him, ESPN notes that « some scouts see him as a promising talent, but an inconsistent season in France has hurt his stock. His size, speed, playmaking skills and shooting potential offer clear upside if he can put it all together. »

Draft Combine winner Maxime Raynaud (7’1″, 22) continues his meteoric rise and now sits at 24th, also heading to Oklahoma. The Stanford prospect « was one of the big winners at the Combine, arguably the most impressive player in the games, measuring over 6’11 » barefoot with a 9’1″ standing reach » ESPN specified.

Finally, at 28th, the Boston Celtics’ pick, we find Noah Penda (6’6″, 20). Le Mans’ forward/wing, recently named Betclic ELITE’s best young player, is coming off a productive season that has seen him steadily rise in mock drafts. ESPN comments: « Penda’s sharp basketball IQ and two-way impact, after a productive and complete season in France, would make him an interesting target in this range. He has excellent role player qualities, notably as an excellent decision maker and defensive floor general. »