Despite having only a 3 percent chance, Hawks secure No. 1 pick in NBA Draft Lottery

The Atlanta Hawks made franchise history on Sunday by winning the No. 1 selection in the 2024 NBA Draft after coming out on top in the Draft Lottery. This marks the first time since 1975 that the Hawks will have the opportunity to pick first overall, with general manager Landry Fields representing the team on stage in Chicago.

Despite having just a 3% chance of securing the top pick, the Hawks beat out the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards, who had the best odds at 14%. With no clear-cut favorite for the No. 1 selection this year, the top prospects include French basketball standouts Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher.

Sarr, a 7-foot-1 center who played for the Perth Wildcats in Australia’s NBL, has impressed scouts with his improved motor and elite rim protection. On the other hand, Risacher, a 6-foot-9 wing, has showcased his offensive prowess playing for JL Bourg-en-Bresse in the French League.

In addition to Sarr and Risacher, other top prospects in the draft class include UConn’s Donovan Clingan, Serbian guard Nikola Topić, and G League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis. Fans can catch these players in action at the NBA draft combine, which kicked off on Sunday in Chicago and will be televised on ESPN2 on May 15–16.

The 2024 NBA Draft is set to take place on June 26–27, with the first round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the second round at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York. Stay tuned for more updates on the top picks and potential draft day surprises.