Watch: Frenchmen go No. 1 and No. 2 in 2024 NBA Draft

Sarr was next at two, going to the Washington Wizards. The seven-footer averaged 9.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and shot 52 percent from the field for the Perth Wildcats of the NBL last season. 

Risacher and Sarr weren't alone. Four picks later, Tidjane Salaun went sixth to the Charlotte Hornets. Viewed as one of the players with the highest upside, the six-foot-nine, 203-pound forward averaged 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds for Cholet of the LNB Elite last season. 

Risacher, Sarr and Salaun, selected among the top six picks in this year's draft, show a significant shift in the NBA. None of the trio posted eye-popping stats, but length, athleticism and untapped potential made them attractive to teams leaguewide.

Before 2023, the only French-born player selected among the top 10 in NBA Draft history was Dominique Wilkins (No. 3) in 1982, per Basketball Reference. Now, four players representing the country have heard their names called among the top 10 in just two years.