Quebecer Olivier-Maxence Prosper picked 24th overall in NBA Draft

Olivier-Maxence Prosper became the latest Quebecer to join the NBA on Thursday night.

He was drafted 24th overall by the Sacramento Kings, then traded to the Dallas Mavericks along with Richaun Holmes.

From Rosemere, north of Montreal, Propser joins Quebecers Bennedict Mathurin, Luguentz Dort, Khem Birch and Chris Boucher in the league.

Prosper turns 21 on July 3.

“I want to thank the Mavericks for giving me this opportunity,” said Prosper on Thursday night. “It’s a real privilege and I’m really grateful.”

“I’m going to work hard every day to get better and help the club do better. I’m going to be the one working the hardest on the field.”

The six-foot-seven, 212-pound player is known for his defensive skills, among other things.

“I’m going to be the guy you can rely on to counter a variety of positions, and also to get the offense going again, get open shots and finish the job under the basket. I see myself as a guy who’s going to create the spark.”

He played one season at Clemson and his last two college seasons at Marquette. In 2022-23, he averaged 12.5 points per contest.

Prosper led his team with 16 points in the second round of March Madness this year, although Michigan State won 69-60 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper hugs family and friends after being selected 24th overall by the Sacramento Kings during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Félicitations au Montréalais Olivier-Maxence Prosper pour sa sélection au premier tour de repêchage de la @NBA!

Montréal démontre une fois de plus qu’elle est une ville de basketball. Bravo! ????????#polmtl pic.twitter.com/53EWdmcUhi

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) June 23, 2023

Overall, he finished second in the standing vertical jump, as well as third in the maximum vertical jump.

His performance at this event considerably raised his profile for the draft.

“The most important thing is to believe in yourself,” said Prosper. That’s what allowed me to have such good results.”

Like fellow Montrealer Bennedict Mathurin, who was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 2022, Prosper took part in the 2020 Basketball Without Borders camp and the NBA Academy Latin America.

He was also part of the Canadian team that finished third at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup

Prosper comes from a family of basketball players. His father played for the Concordia Stingers while his mother played for the Manhattan College Stingers.

His sister Cassandre currently plays for Notre Dame in the NCAA.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 22, 2023, and translated by CityNews.