The past six MVP awards in the NBA have been given to international players, and several new potential stars born outside the United States were gobbled up to start the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft Wednesday night at Barclays Center.
French teenagers Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, as expected, were selected as the top two picks of this year’s NBA Draft by the Hawks and Wizards, respectively.
Either one of them going No.1 — after wunderkind big man Victor Wembanyama went first to the Spurs one year ago — would have made history.
With the selection of Risacher — a 6-9 wing out of JL Bourg in the top tier of the French Pro League — France became the first European country to snag the first pick in consecutive years.
It joins only Canada (Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins, both by Cleveland, in 2014 and 2015) as the only foreign countries to do so.
Zaccharie Risacher, left, of Bourg-en-Bresse, dribbles during a Betclic Elite basketball game. AP
Nikola Jokic (three) Giannis Antetokounmpo (two) and Joel Embiid have accounted for the last half-dozen MVP trophies, and it’s not difficult to envision Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama — the unanimous 2024 Rookie of the Year — joining them in the coming years.
Risacher also has played for Asvel Basket — owned by countryman and basketballl Hall of Famer Tony Parker — in the French Pro League’s top division.
In addition to Risacher and Sarr, forward Matas Buzelis (Lithuania) and guard Nikola Topic (Serbia) also were projected top-10 picks.
Alex Sarr of the Wildcats celebrates after a blocked shot during the round one NBL match between Perth Wildcats and Tasmania Jackjumpers. Getty Images
The 2023-24 season marked the third consecutive season that opening-night NBA rosters featured at least 120 international players, and the 10th straight season with at least 100.
At least 10 international players have been selected in the NBA Draft every year since 2000, and at least two have gone in the top 10 in each of the past 12 years.
Kentucky shooting guard Reed Sheppard, considered the best outside shooter in this draft, went third to the Rockets, while one-and-done UConn guard Stephon Castle was nabbed one pick later by the Spurs. G League Ignite forward Ron Halland rounded out the top-5, going next to the NBA-worst Pistons.
Huskies center Donovan Clingan reacts against Marquette. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
A third French player, power forward Tidjane Salaun, made it three from his homeland in the first six selections when grabbed by the Hornets.
And UConn big man Donovan Clingan became the second player from the defending NCAA champions when snapped up by the Blazers at No. 7.
Kentucky point guard Rob Dillingham then was drafted by the Spurs and promptly traded to the Timberwolves. Purdue center Zach Edey, the collegiate player of the year, and Colorado forward Cody Williams (Jazz) rounded out the Top 10.
Two more European players — forward Matas Buzelis (Lithuania) and guard Nikola Topic (Serbia) — went 11th and 12th to the Bulls and the Thunder, respectively.
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