A smaller list but with more French accents, the NBA communicated on Tuesday players who have registered for the next draft. There are 195 of them who have officially “declared” to be selected among the 58 choices on June 26 and 27. No surprises jump out at you, except the number of names, which is much lower than in previous seasons. There were 242 last year, and up to 353 in 2021!
Among these 195 players, 36 play in Europe. And there are 17 Tricolores to have officially applied on this date, including two of the favorites to be number one: Alexandre Sarr (Perth / Australia) and Zaccharie Risacher (Bourg-en-Bresse).
Betclic Elite well represented
Behind the two leaders of the French contingent, Tidjane Salaün (Cholet), Melvin Ajinça (Saint-Quentin) and Pacôme Dadiet (Ulm / Germany) can hope to be retained according to the latest “mock draft”. Several other players playing in France registered, some very late, such as Antibes interior Zaccharie Perrin, Vichy fullback Ilias Kamardine or even the “big men” from Blois Armel Traoré and Brice Dessert. Adama Bal (Santa Clara) and Mohamed Diarra (North Carolina State) will hope that their good season in the NCAA could attract recruiters.
French players registered
- Melvin Ajinca – Saint-Quentin (France), 2004
- Adama Ball – Santa Clara (NCAA), 2003
- Milhan Charles – BAL Weert (Netherlands), 2004
- Pacôme Dadiet – ratiopharm Ulm (Germany), 2005
- Brice Dessert – Blois (France), 2003
- Mohamed Diarra – North Carolina State (NCAA), 2001
- Mohamed Diawara – Poitiers (France), 2005
- Ugo Doumbia – Châlons-Reims (France), 2003
- Lucas Dufeal – Vichy Clermont (France) 2003
- Ilias Kamardine – Vichy Clermont (France), 2003
- Noah Penda – Vichy Clermont (France), 2005
- Zacharie Perrin – Antibes (France), 2004
- Zaccharie Risacher – Bourg (France), 2005
- Tidjane Salaun – Cholet (France), 2005
- Alexandre Sarr – Perth (Australia), 2005
- Yacine Toumi – Evansville (NCAA), 2000
- Armel Traoré – Blois (France), 2003
Zach Edey is obviously in it, Bronny James too
Among the stars of the university championship, the main players expected are there, especially within a promotion which gives more pride to long courses than to freshmen. The best NCAA player 2023 and 2024 Zach Edey (Purdue) is there, like Kentucky players Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, or Connecticut fullback Stephon Castle. Dalton Knecht, sparkling with Tennessee this season, or Kevin McCullar (Kansas) are not among those registered but they are automatically eligible because they have reached the end of their university studies.
Another highly anticipated name, Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, is among the 195 candidates. Uncertainty hovers since we do not know if he intends to maintain this registration or refill for an additional academic year. Like Bronny, NCAA players have until May 29 to decide. According to Jonathan Givonydraft specialist for ESPN, the list of 195 players could however grow during the day on Wednesday because… “ a communication problem or incident at the NBA office » specifies the journalist.
