The NBA draft will have tons of international talent, which is to be expected

By TIM REYNOLDS

There’s no Victor Wembanyama in the class headed to the NBA draft this week. There’s no Zaccharie Risacher, either. For the first time since 2022, the first pick in the draft will not be someone from France.

Wembanyama had that title in 2023. Risacher had it last year. This year, Duke’s Cooper Flagg is almost certain to go No. 1. That doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be a ton of international representation in these 59 picks. Far from it.

It’s not outside...