the French Dieng, Diabaté, Besson and Kamagaté selected
Apart from the United States, no country has had more players chosen than France during the NBA Draft which took place this Thursday, June 22 in New York.
Four French players were called up during the big evening which sees the best young basketball players on the planet being selected by the teams playing in the NBA: Ousmane Dieng, Moussa Diabate, Ismael Kamagate and Hugo Besson.
Among these four players, there is only the first quoted who will sign a guaranteed two-year contract in the Big League. Ousmane Dieng was drafted in the first round with the 11th pick. Selected by the New York Knicks, the versatile winger was immediately sent to Oklahoma City where he will evolve alongside his compatriots Jaylen Hoard and Théo Maledon. The 19-year-old is the fourth-highest drafted Frenchman in NBA history.
He came close to the top 10 thanks to an excellent end to the season with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian championship. The 2.08m player revealed himself there after being trained at Pole France Basketball. He finished the season averaging 8.9 points, 1 assist, and 3.2 rebounds per game.
« It’s just incredible, it’s a dream come true, I’m super happy and I’m in a hurry to join Oklahoma City, » reacted the native of Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
Three Frenchmen in the second round, Paolo Banchero first choice of the 2022 NBA Draft
His compatriot and club teammate Hugo Besson will also join the NBA. He was picked 58th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. His hatching had taken place the previous year under the colors of Saint-Quentin in Pro B. The rear had been voted best young player in the French second division in 2020-2021 before flying to the southern hemisphere where he confirmed with 13.9 points, 2.5 assists and 4 rebounds per game.
Before him, two other French players were selected in the second round: Moussa Diabaté who took over the management of the Los Angeles Clippers with the 43rd choice and Ismaël Kamagaté retained by the Denver Nuggets in the 46th place.
The first is a strong winger who played with the University of Michigan in the NCAA last year, while the second is a pivot who discovered the elite of French basketball with Paris during the 2021-2022 season.
The evening began with the selection of Paolo Banchero. The player who passed through Duke University was recruited by the Orlando Magic who had the first choice of this 2022 draft. Chet Holmgren who was selected by Oklahoma City and Jabari Smith Jr. retained by Houston.
