 Second year in a row a French player was taken with the first pick in the NBA draft. It worked out well for the Spurs last season after Victor Wembedyama was unanimous selection for Rookie of the Year. Zachary Risache is not considered in the same class as Wembedyama. The second player picked in the draft, also from France, the Washington Wizards, took Alex Saar. The Rockets picked Reed Shepard out of Kentucky with the third pick. Then the Spurs went with Stephon Castle out of UConn.