Atlanta Hawks

Zaccharie Risacher says he's not worried about the expectations that accompany being the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft — even if that also includes the daunting task of following fellow French star Victor Wembanyama.

A person familiar with the deal has told The Associated Press the Atlanta Hawks moved back into the NBA draft by trading forward AJ Griffin to the Houston Rockets for the No. 44 pick

The Atlanta Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night, the second straight year a player from France was the first player selected.

Since the lucky numbers came up for the Atlanta Hawks for a surprising victory in the lottery, speculation centered around Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher of France as the players they would consider for the No. 1 pick.

France isn’t the only country producing top prospects for the NBA — it just sort of seems that is the case

French 7-footer Alexandre Sarr has widely been projected to follow the footsteps of fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

Frenchmen Alexandre Sarr or Zaccharie Risacher could be the top pick in the June 26 draft. If so, it would be the first time that the No. 1 pick in consecutive drafts was someone who didn't play at a U.S. college.

The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA draft lottery on Sunday, landing the No. 1 pick and a potential cornerstone player in a year where there’s no clear-cut choice.

Onsi Saleh was officially hired Thursday by the Hawks as an assistant general manager, coming to Atlanta from Golden State.

Rudy Gobert had 25 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks to help the Minnesota Timberwolves defeat the Atlanta Hawks 109-106 on Friday night and move into a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference.