Basketball

For the first time since 2001, four of the top five picks in the NBA draft did not play college basketball in the United States. No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama will join the San Antonio Spurs after having played in France’s top league.

For a brief moment, Bilal Coulibaly was an Indiana Pacer. Then, he was traded to the Washington Wizards. A whirlwind night for Coulibaly at the NBA draft on Thursday was part of a memorable one for his country.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Canadians Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Leonard Miller heard their names called at the NBA draft on Thursday. The Sacramento Kings selected Prosper 24th overall and Leonard went 33rd to the San Antonio Spurs.

Cam Whitmore was projected by many to be a lottery pick, but he fell to the Houston Rockets at No. 20 in the NBA draft Thursday night. The Associated Press’ mock draft had Whitmore going No. 5 overall. The versatile 6-foot-7 wing averaged 12.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — There was plenty of debate in the weeks leading up to the NBA draft over whether the Charlotte Hornets preferred Alabama's Brandon Miller or the G League Ignite's Scoot Henderson with the No 2 pick.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas native Gradey Dick brought a bit of home with him to the NBA draft . After all, there's no place like it.

Jett Howard is following in his father's footsteps, going from Michigan to the NBA. He joined his father, Juwan, as an NBA draft lottery pick Thursday night .

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The world will be watching Victor Wembanyama, including San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. The Spurs selected the French phenom with the top pick in Thursday night’s NBA draft that was held in New York.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards moved up one spot in the NBA draft Thursday night, swapping lottery picks with the Indiana Pacers and ending up with Bilal Coulibaly of France. The Pacers had the No. 7 pick and Washington was at No.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers’ new arena is on schedule to open next year, with the steel framework for its two-sided halo board now in place above the 18,000 seats. The Clippers will play their final season at Crypto.