With the 7th pick in the first round of Wednesday night’s NBA draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected 7-2 center Donovan Clingan out of the University of Connecticut.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick in the draft, the second straight year a player from France was the first player selected.

The French landed three players in the top six picks, a year after Victor Wembanyama was the first player selected.

As for the Blazers’ pick, AP basketball writers John Marshall and Brian Mahoney wrote in a draft preview:

“Clingan’s a proven winner as the massive anchor to UConn’s back-to-back NCAA titles. Though he doesn’t fit the NBA mold of a perimeter-shooting big man, the 7-2, 280-pounder is a load for opponents inside at both ends of the floor. He’s also excellent at finishing on lobs.”