Zaccharie Risacher Drafted No. 1 by Hawks as NBA Fans Hype Pairing with Trae Young
June 27, 2024
With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected French forward Zaccharie Risacher.
2024 marked the second consecutive year in which a French prospect was selected with the top pick after the San Antonio Spurs added Victor Wembanyama in 2023.
The choice was far from a certainty, as Atlanta was also reportedly considering fellow French forward Alex Sarr as well as UConn center Donovan Clingan. On Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski listed Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard as another potential option.
However, the Hawks ultimately chose Risacher to pair alongside All-Star point guard Trae Young.
Fans were excited with the pick.
BKS @BKSecretsportsAtlanta just did something they haven't done since they drafted Trae Young, they have finally drafted a wing. <br><br>That's the most important thing for this franchise, Risacher a large sample size of shooting success in his career already. He's not a defensive (hold my own) guy not… <a href="https://t.co/FZxuNTzzUF">pic.twitter.com/FZxuNTzzUF</a>
Wes @bloghawkThe glass half full argument for Risacher:<br><br>6'10 two-way SF who can defend POA<br><br>Doesn't need the ball = good fit with Trae<br><br>18 y/o on a previous bad French team playing a prominent role<br><br>Won't be an initiator, but there is some connective passer upside<br><br>(haters will call it cope)
Risacher wrapped up an impressive 2023-24 campaign overseas, playing for JL Bourg in LNB Pro A. In 32 games of league play, the 19-year-old averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game. Risacher shot 43.9 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from behind the arc, connecting on 74.0 percent of his free throws.
He looked even better throughout 17 games of EuroCup play, averaging 13.1 points each contest on 56.6/56.1/65.9 shooting splits.
While his individual production isn't eye-popping compared to No. 1 overall picks in past years, his development as a ball-handler at his height of 6'9" intrigued teams such as the Hawks throughout the pre-draft process.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman highlighted his improvements off the dribble in his scouting report of Risacher, comparing the forward to Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets as well as Sacramento Kings wing Harrison Barnes.
"But Risacher is also in the conversation at No. 1 overall due to his potential to add more creation and playmaking from his ball-handling development," Wasserman wrote. "With more on-ball reps last year in France's U21 League, he was able to show more off the dribble than he has for his new team in LNB Pro A."
Hit fit next to Young is intriguing, as the three-time All-Star is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 10.8 assists per game.
Despite some uncertainty regarding the pick leading up to the draft, fans were thrilled with the selection of Risacher.