Frenchman scores 18 points on efficient shooting, showcasing his skills and potential in a thrilling win.
Zaccharie Risacher, the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, wasted no time making an impact for the Atlanta Hawks in his preseason debut, impressing fans with his skills and efficiency.
Coming off the bench, the French forward delivered a strong performance in 23 minutes, scoring 18 points along with three rebounds and two assists. Risacher shot an efficient 7-for-9 from the field, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, in the Hawks’ 131-130 victory over the Indiana Pacers. He led the team with a +15 in plus/minus.
The rookie wasted no time asserting himself, grabbing rebounds and attacking the basket from the moment he entered the game. Risacher also showcased his ability to push the tempo as a ball handler in transition and finished plays with powerful dunks.
Reflecting on his first game, Risacher said, “I was super excited for the game. This whole process you know, training camp and everything, that was the start of something great I think, yeah I was super excited and I am glad that it went well.”
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Trae Young made a notable contribution to the Hawks’ win with 17 points and six assists and took the opportunity to commend rookie Zaccharie Risacher after the game. Young expressed his enthusiasm for Risacher’s performance, adding that he wished it could have been a regular season game.
“I hate that this wasn’t the first game of the season where it counts for real,” said Young. “That was a hell of a performance. That was a game, hell of a start. So for me, I want him to feel like how he felt tonight, and feel like there’s no pressure on him.”
“He can go out there and be himself,” he added. “When he’s himself, he played like he did tonight, and he can shoot the ball really well. He has a really good feel for the game, can make the right reads. Obviously, he’s gonna make some turnovers and make some mistakes here and there, but he’s he’s gonna have a hell of a career.”
After a 49-year wait, the Atlanta Hawks secured the first overall pick in the NBA draft, selecting Zaccharie Risacher as their top choice. Hawks General Manager Landry Fields disclosed that the decision to draft the Frenchman was influenced by Alex Sarr’s refusal to participate in a pre-draft workout with the team.
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