BASKETBALL fans long wait to welcome the next bunch of NBA young stars is about to be over, with the first selection in this year’s 2024 NBA Draft set to be taken at 10am AEST. Atlanta Hawks hold that pick, with Perth Wildcats big man Alexandre Sarr one of two players projected to be the first taken.

Over the last few weeks, Rookie Me Central has previewed each of the 30 teams and look at what they might pick up over the course of the 2024 NBA Draft.

TEAM PREVIEW SERIES:

>>> Atlanta <<< >>> Washington <<<>>> Houston <<<>>> San Antonio <<<>>> Detroit

>>> Charlotte <<<>>> Portland <<<>>> Memphis <<<>>> Utah <<<>>> Chicago

>>> Oklahoma City <<<>>> Sacramento <<<>>> Miami <<<>>> Philadelphia

>>> LA Lakers <<<>>> Orlando <<<>>> Toronto <<<>>> Cleveland <<<>>> New Orleans

>>> Phoenix <<<>>> Milwaukee <<<>>> New York <<<>>> Minnesota <<<>>> Denver

>>> Boston <<<>>> Indiana <<<>>> LA Clippers /Golden State / Dallas <<<

FIRST ROUND:

Here’s the complete order for the first round:

1. Atlanta
2. Washington
3. Houston (from Brooklyn)
4. San Antonio
5. Detroit
6. Charlotte
7. Portland
8. San Antonio (from Toronto)
9. Memphis
10. Utah
11. Chicago
12. Oklahoma City (from Houston)
13. Sacramento
14. Portland (from Golden State via Boston and Memphis)
15. Miami
16. Philadelphia
17. Los Angeles Lakers
18. Orlando
19. Toronto (from Indiana)
20. Cleveland
21. New Orleans (from Milwaukee)
22. Phoenix
23. Milwaukee (from New Orleans)
24. New York (from Dallas)
25. New York
26. Washington (from LA Clippers via Dallas and Oklahoma City)
27. Minnesota
28. Denver
29. Utah (from Oklahoma City via Toronto and Indiana)
30. Boston

PICK ONE CONTENDERS:

Alexandre Sarr (Perth Wildcats)
Position: Power Forward / Center
Vitals: 7’0, 224lbs

The 19-year-old phenom has been sensational at the Wildcats across the course of the 2023/24 NBL season. Capable of playing at the four or five, Sarr has potential to work on both ends of the floor as a big man. Generally considered the most talented prospect in the draft class, the only way is up for Sarr who will not fall below number two.

Zaccharie Risacher (JL Bourg-en-Bresse)
Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
Vitals: 6’8, 204lbs

Incredibly the French look to have the top two picks locked in, with Sarr’s compatriot still a huge chance to go at the top selection. The Hawks love the look of Risacher and have been tightly watching him in the lead-up to the draft, and he is a player who brings defensive versatility and impressive shotmaking to the fore, but still room to improve in his ball-handling and creation.

WHEN IS IT?

The Atlanta Hawks will be on the clock from 10am AEST for the first round which is completed Thursday, or Wednesday night in the United States. The remainder of the draft begins at 6am AEST on Friday morning for Australians, or overnight on Thursday for those in the States.