When the Atlanta Hawks landed the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, they could’ve went in several directions.
At the time, they were still deciding between Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. No matter who they stuck with, they could’ve put together a trade package for a sidekick. Blockbuster trades don’t just grow on trees. Still, there was a lot of movement among the stars at the start of the summer solstice.
If the Hawks kept the pick, former Perth center Alex Sarr was largely considered the top international prospect in the draft. Prior to the 2023-24 season, former G League Ignite forwards Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis had been considered as potential No. 1 picks. During the 2023-24 season, former Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard was making a case as the best player in college basketball.
Instead, Atlanta drafted former JL Bourg forward Zaccharie Risacher, who had long intrigued scouts with his combination of length and guard skills. Fast forward to a few months later, and Risacher doesn’t look much like what a No. 1 pick should.
“Back in France I was super athletic, and now I’m just a regular dude,” Risacher says, per The Athletic’s John Hollinger.
Hawks Draft Pick Zaccharie Risacher Makes Concerning Comment About NBA Jump
Risacher has performed admirably since being drafted and the organization has probably taken to him as a person more than a player at this point. By all accounts, he’s a hard worker and coachable, traits that aren’t always present in top picks. Because of his work ethic and willingness to learn, the Hawks are confident that he can be successful.
During the preseason, Risacher had his best post-draft stretch.
Though playing just two games, he averaged 16.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest on 60.0 percent shooting from the field and 44.4 percent shooting from three. Numbers aside, he’s shown himself to be a heady and versatile player who can be utilized in myriad ways. His defense looks like it’s further along than his offense, as he routinely makes winning plays with his length and timing.
A Role Player Or Future Feature?
Risacher has largely looked more like a role player than go-to guy.
In Summer League, he averaged 14.5 points per game on 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 25.0 percent shooting from three. At the start of the 2024-25 regular season, he’s averaging 7.2 points per game on 30.3 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from three.
A large part of Risacher’s issue has been his inability to consistently connect from beyond the arc. This may seem strange as he was touted as a 3-and-D archetype entering the draft. Yet, those evaluations were based on Risacher shooting a career-high 38.7 percent from three in 2023-24. It was his first season shooting above 35 percent from deep.
To make matters even more interesting, Risacher was playing under FIBA rules, so the three-point line was closer. Though he has a quick and fundamentally sound shooting stroke, his numbers should have been a red flag for the Hawks.
Compounding the issue is the problem that Risacher himself has pointed out. Against other French athletes, Risacher’s physical tools stood out. He wasn’t overly quick or explosive, but he was more athletic than most of his opponents. In the NBA, he’s still a smooth gliding swingman, but he’s not in the upper echelons of athleticism. That negatively impacts his ability to create separation off the dribble, especially without an advanced ball-handling package.
