Atlanta Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher, the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, says he embraces the expectations that come with his selection.
“I’d like to say there’s no pressure,” the 19-year-old told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “I love challenges. People know they want to compete [against me]. They want to impress. They want to show you. Play hard. But I want to do it, too. And that’s just basketball.”
Risacher became the second consecutive French player to be drafted No. 1, following Victor Wembanyama in 2023. His selection also marked a historic moment for France, as two other French players—Alex Sarr and Tidjane Salaun—were picked in the top 10 of the 2024 draft. This made France the first non-U.S. country to achieve such a milestone.
The 6-foot-9 power forward signed with Atlanta on July 6 and quickly showcased his potential during the Summer League. In his debut, Risacher tallied 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists against the Washington Wizards.
While his regular-season debut was quieter, with seven points and one rebound against the Brooklyn Nets, he has since found his footing in the NBA.
On November 6, Risacher delivered a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 33 points in a win over the New York Knicks.
As of now, he is averaging 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 24.2 minutes per game. He has started in 23 of the Hawks’ 25 games this season.
The Hawks, currently seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 14-12 record, are firmly in the playoff mix. Atlanta’s performance has been bolstered by Risacher’s consistency and his ability to adapt to the league’s physicality and pace.
Beyond the regular season, the Hawks have also advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals, where they will face the Milwaukee Bucks. Risacher’s growth as a player will be vital as Atlanta aims to make a deep run in both the playoffs and the NBA Cup.
