The 2024 NBA Draft: Surprise, Strategy, and the Rise of the International Game
There's nothing quite like draft night. Hope, nerves, a few out-of-left-field picks, and drama all bundled and broadcast to the world. The 2024 NBA Draft spanned two nights in New York - and it had all of that. If you're someone who's followed the NBA for a long time, this draft was especially fascinating. Although it didn't necessarily come with the same extreme hype as last year with Wembanyama, this year had some unique features.
An International Statement
This year's draft truly reinforced international basketball in the NBA. For the second straight year, a French prospect went No. 1 overall. The Atlanta Hawks - who could've gone in a hundred directions - chose Zaccharie Risacher. His play style is smooth and versatile, while his personality was refreshing and mature. He was seen as a 3-and-D type of player, but what really stands out is the fact that he doesn't force things; he lets the game come to him. You could sense Atlanta fans exhale when they announced this pick. After years of somewhat questionable roster moves from the Hawks, this felt like a safe, smart bet that fit the team.
However, Risacher wasn't alone. Alex Sarr is another Frenchman who went right after him at No. 2 to Washington. He has a 7-foot frame and a wingspan that seems to go on forever. Not only that - Tidjane Salaün was then drafted No. 6. It was clear that France was having its basketball moment.
College Stars Still Have Pull
Let's not ignore the NCAA talent, though. Houston grabbed Reed Sheppard at No. 3. He is a crafty, high-IQ guard straight out of Kentucky. If you watched any Wildcats games this year, you saw a kid who just gets it. He had great vision, fearless shooting, and a talent for reading the floor. He might not have the flash of some recent lottery picks, but Houston clearly values his unique skillset.
And then came the most talked-about move of the night: Memphis choosing Zach Edey at No. 9. This was a move that had fans and analysts talking excessively. Edey is massive. He's 7'4", pure power, coming off one of the most dominant college runs we've seen in years. Is his game tailor-made for today's NBA? That's up for debate. However, the Grizzlies needed something different, and Edey is, if nothing else, unique.
Bronny James’ Buzz
Of course, there was also the circus around Bronny James. This was probably the most talked about pick, obviously due to the proximity to LeBron James. The Lakers finally made it official and grabbed him late in the second round. Was it about marketing? Legacy? Or a genuine basketball decision? Perhaps a bit of all three. Of course, the connection to his father has raised concerns about his deservingness of this pick. Regardless, expect to hear about the Lakers' bench all year. The league has never shied away from a bit of drama.
Takeaways: What Actually Mattered
What interested me most about this draft was the apparent shift in thinking by front offices. There was a time when GMs would obsess over players' ceiling, athleticism, and "projectability" above all else. Now? Teams are more so looking for versatility and fit. Risacher isn't just a scorer - he's a connector. Edey isn't just tall - he's absurdly productive. Even Bronny, for all the noise, is a genuinely intriguing defender at the guard spot. Europe, especially France, is also churning out high-IQ, multi-skilled players at a pace we haven't seen before.
What Comes Next
Now comes the fun part. Will Risacher and Sarr silence the doubters? Can Edey bully his way to relevance in a league that loves to space the floor? And will Bronny carve out his own story, or just be LeBron's son in the shadow of Staples Center? These are some questions floating around. And we may not find out the answers immediately. One thing is for sure: a few months from now, we'll be talking about breakout rookies and draft-night "steals" we never saw coming.
That is the beauty of the NBA draft. No matter how much you think you know, there's always an eventual twist. And in 2024, we see that the next generation is far more global, unpredictable, and seemingly more ready than ever.