Nadir Hifi made NFL draft history on Saturday night, becoming the first French basketball player to announce a draft selection live on American television when he revealed that the New Orleans Saints had chosen Bryce Lance with the 136th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The announcement came during the fourth round of the draft, with Hifi appearing via satellite from the 22nd floor of Maison de la Radio in Paris. He was invited to create the pick as part of the NFL’s promotion for its first regular-season game in France, scheduled to be held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Hifi, who serves as the starting point guard for Paris Basketball in France’s top professional league, delivered the news live on both ESPN and NBC broadcasts. His appearance highlighted the growing international connection between American football and global sports figures.
According to the New Orleans Saints’ official website, Bryce Lance is a 6-foot-3, 204-pound wide receiver from North Dakota State. A senior from Marshall, Minnesota, Lance earned first-team AP All-American honors in 2025 after averaging 21.2 yards per reception — a mark that ranked sixth nationally among FCS players that season.
His college production featured back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons and a school-record 17 touchdown catches in 2024, helping lead the Bison to a national championship. Lance was also a two-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection.
Pre-draft evaluations highlighted Lance’s elite athleticism, including a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical leap recorded at the 2026 NFL Combine. These metrics underscored his reputation as a deep-threat playmaker capable of creating explosive plays downfield.
The Saints selected Lance in the fourth round, continuing a draft strategy focused on adding offensive weapons with high upside. His addition joins other recent receiver acquisitions aimed at strengthening New Orleans’ passing attack.
Although the specific opponent and date for the NFL’s inaugural France game have not yet been confirmed, the league has emphasized the event as a milestone in its global expansion efforts. Hosting the game at Stade de France positions the NFL to tap into Europe’s growing American football fanbase.
Hifi’s role in the draft announcement reflects the NBA’s increasing influence in international sports outreach, with active players from other leagues being integrated into major American sporting events as cultural ambassadors.
For Lance, the moment marked the culmination of a standout collegiate career at North Dakota State, where he developed into one of the most productive receivers in FCS history before hearing his name called on draft night.
The 2026 NFL Draft continues to demonstrate the league’s commitment to international engagement, combining on-field competition with off-field initiatives designed to grow the sport’s footprint beyond traditional markets in the United States.
Stay tuned to Archysport for updates on Bryce Lance’s transition to the NFL and further developments regarding the NFL’s upcoming game in France.
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