San Antonio Spurs center Victor Oubemblè posted on his social networks, reacting to the fact that two other French players were selected by draw: Alexander Sarr and Zacharie Risacher.
“This is France, my brother,” Oubemblè wrote on his social media platform.
Let us recall that today, June 27, the first part of the 2024 NBA Draft took place. The event is divided into two evenings, with the second round scheduled for June 28. The first pick in the draft was made by the Atlanta Hawks, who selected 19-year-old Zacharie Risacher, while Alexander Sarr was drafted by the Washington Wizards.
The total number of draft picks is 58 due to the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns being stripped of their own second-round selections due to a violation of the draft rules.
Oubemblè’s social media reaction highlights the growing influence and representation of French basketball talent in the NBA. The selection of Sarr and Risacher as lottery picks, joining Oubemblè as the first overall draft pick, underscores the depth and quality of the French player pool. This influx of French talent into the NBA is a testament to the success of the country’s basketball development programs and the sport’s growing global appeal.
As Oubemblè enters his second NBA season with the Spurs, the presence of these new French players will likely create a sense of camaraderie and shared cultural identity within the French contingent in the NBA. This could foster greater collaboration, support and opportunities for these players to thrive at the highest level of professional basketball.
Oubemblè's social media post, with its simple yet powerful statement, captures the national pride and excitement surrounding French basketball's continued rise on the world stage.
