AP Sports

Vive la France! Hawks make Zaccharie Risacher second straight Frenchman taken No. 1 in NBA draft

NEW YORK (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday night, the second straight year a player from France was the first player selected. Risacher doesn’t come with the enormous height or hype of Victor Wembanyama, the towering center who went to San Antonio last year and went on to win the Rookie of the Year award. But the Hawks saw him as the best choice in what has been viewed as a draft absent of elite talent. This is the first time that the draft has gone consecutive years without the No. 1 pick being someone who played at an American college.

Historic NBA draft for France, which joins US as only country with 3 players within top 10 picks

The NBA may have to rethink the timing of its draft. Not the month, just the hour it starts. Paris is six hours ahead of New York. That forced French basketball fans eager to see history to stay up into the wee hours of Thursday morning. France joined the United States as the only countries with three players selected within the top 10 picks of an NBA draft. The momentum started with Victor Wembanyama of France becoming the No. 1 pick overall a year ago. Atlanta made Zaccharie Risacher (pronounced Ree-zah-shay) the top pick of this draft. Risacher says he knows a lot of France stayed up all night to watch.

2024 NBA draft tracker: List of first-round picks

The players selected in the first round of the NBA draft. French teenager Zaccharie Risacher goes first overall to the Atlanta Hawks, followed by another French teen in 7-footer Alex Sarr to Washington at No. 2. They were the first of three Frenchmen in the top 10 and four in the first round. Charlotte took Tidjane Salaun at No. 6 overall while Pacome Dadiet went at No. 25 to New York. Two-time reigning national champion UConn had guard Stephon Castle go fourth to San Antonio and big man Donovan Clingan go seventh to Portland. Kentucky also had two top-10 picks.

Ohtani contemplating the Home Run Derby amid record-breaking RBI streak with the Dodgers

CHICAGO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is rolling along for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the moment. When it comes to the Home Run Derby, well, stay tuned. Ohtani hit a leadoff drive against the Chicago White Sox for the second straight night, extending his RBI streak to a franchise-record 10 games. The two-time AL MVP is batting .310 with 11 homers, 23 RBIs and 24 runs in 23 games this month. Ohtani’s latest tear has him contemplating another try at the Derby on July 15 as part of the All-Star festivities at Globe Life Field in Texas. Ohtani says he has to talk to “a lot of people” before deciding on the marquee event.

Bronny James not picked in Round 1, and now Round 2 awaits

NEW YORK (AP) — Bronny James’ draft night has likely arrived. The son of career scoring leader LeBron James was not selected in the first round of Wednesday’s NBA draft in New York, and now will wait to see if he’s picked in the second round when selections resume Thursday afternoon. The pick that might be most logical for Bronny James: 55th overall, a selection that just happens to be held by the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that LeBron James — who is widely expected to become a free agent next week — has played for since 2018.

The US Tennis Association can do more to prevent abuse such as sexual misconduct, a review says

An outside review of the U.S. Tennis Association’s safeguarding system makes 19 specific recommendations for how the group that oversees the sport in the country and runs the U.S. Open Grand Slam tournament can do more to protect players from abuse such as sexual misconduct. A 62-page report written by two lawyers was presented to the USTA Board of Directors last week and made public Thursday. The report says the USTA meets all of the requirements of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and in some ways exceeds them. But the review also offers suggestions to improve safeguarding.

Wolves confidently take Terrence Shannon at No. 27 after Illinois star found not guilty in rape case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves did some extra digging into Terrence Shannon Jr. before the draft. They found plenty of sources vouching for his character. The background work bolstered their confidence in a dynamic player whose final season at Illinois was overshadowed by a rape charge he was recently exonerated of. The Timberwolves took Shannon at No. 27 overall in the first round. Shannon was found not guilty two weeks ago after a jury spent less than two hours deliberating the verdict. He was accused of sexual assault last September during a visit to Kansas for a football game.

OG Anunoby will stay with the New York Knicks on a 5-year deal, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — A person with knowledge of the details says OG Anunoby will stay with the New York Knicks on a five-year contract worth more than $210 million. Keeping the swingman was a priority for the Knicks after they flourished when Anunoby was in the lineup after arriving in December in a trade with Toronto. The deal was first reported by ESPN, which said Anunoby’s deal would be worth $212.5 million. The person confirmed the details to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract is not yet official. The Knicks went 20-3 with Anunoby in the lineup in the regular season.

Andy Murray is undecided about whether to play Wimbledon and says doubles is likelier than singles

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray still has not decided whether he will be able to compete at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament that begins next week. He says Thursday he is likelier to enter doubles than singles if he can play at all after recent surgery to remove a cyst on his spinal cord. The 37-year-old Murray plans to retire in the coming months. Play at the All England Club begins Monday. The draw to determine the singles brackets is Friday. Murray said he will wait until the last possible moment to figure out whether he can compete at Wimbledon.

Venezuela advances to Copa America quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over Mexico on Rondón goal

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Salomón Rondón scored on a penalty kick in the 57th minute, and Venezuela advanced to the Copa America quarterfinals with 1-0 victory over Mexico. Venezuela, which opened with a 2-1 win over Ecuador, is assured finishing among the top two in Group B. Mexico began with a 1-0 victory over Jamaica and has three points along with Ecuador, which defeated the winless Reggae Boyz 3-1 earlier Wednesday. Mexico plays Ecuador at Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, and needs a victory to advance. Venezuela faces already eliminated Jamaica at Austin, Texas. Venezuela ended a 13-game winless streak against El Tri.