36e choice. So The Athletic's predictions For Zacharie Risacher on August 7, before the start of this 2023/24 financial year. The Frenchman was then one of the international players to keep an eye on, not on the list of essentials as number in the Draft. Things changed quickly.
Having moved from ASVEL to Bourg-en-Bresse to get playing time and exposure, the son of former international Stéphane Risacher quickly revealed himself. The winger became a major player in the JL, one of the best French teams, both in the championship and in the European Cup. Enough to attract all NBA scouts to Ain and consider a second consecutive Betclic Elite player as “first pick”.
A tall winger, already used to playing at a high level after having already left good first impressions in the Euroleague with ASVEL the season preceding that of his Draft, Zacharie Risacher is one of those profiles that is necessarily interesting for a franchise. His ability this season to raise his level in the Eurocup as well as in the playoffs says a lot about the will of the “kid”, born in April 2005, like his sidekick Alexandre Sarr, with whom he played in the U17 and U19 World Cups these two recent summers. And his progress this season shows great promise, provided he finds himself in the right environment.
Profile
Job : Winger
Size : 2m07
Weight : 95 kg
Team : JL Bourg-en-Bresse
Stats 2023/24: 11.1 points at 47%, 4.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists in 23.3 minutes
Strong points
– The quality of the shot. An honest shooter during his promising years, Zaccharie Risacher reached a milestone this season: 38.7% at 3-points in all competitions, 45% in Eurocup. His wrist is not yet an absolute guarantee (74% on free throws), but the gesture is there. The young winger knows how to find his shooting tickets through the quality of his movements, particularly in the slick Bourg-en-Bresse collective, where he played more at the end of the system.
– Basketball IQ. Zaccharie Risacher is an example of a “no nonsense player”, who does not force and avoids crazy moves. The Burgien has a very good reading of defenses to cut towards the circle, especially behind the defenders' back line, as well as opposing attacks. Qualities that he will be able to transpose whatever team gets their hands on him.
– Defense. The winger is not only tall and long, he relies on his supports being quite low for his size to muzzle players much smaller than him. At Bourg, he frequently defended on the opposition's best outside, from Mike James to Nadir Hifi, as well as more athletic wingers. Already very solid in one-on-one situations, he likes the challenge and does not hesitate to press all terrain.
Weakness
– Offensive creativity. As he himself admitted during the Draft Combine in Treviso on Tuesday, Zaccharie Risacher must work primarily on his “handle” to reach a new level. He is not yet able to create his points off the dribble. Not selfish, he is not necessarily a creator and still seems quite far from it.
Comparison
At this point, Zaccharie Risacher can blend into a role at Mikal Bridges before his trade to the Nets, in an ideal 3&D complement register in a team already equipped with ball carriers. If he were to add better dribbling skills (and some muscle), he could get closer to what Keegan Murray this season with the Kings.
Prognosis
In the Top 3, probably. His very successful end to the season (15.1 points at 52.6%, 7.4 rebounds on average in the playoffs) restored a slightly declining rating in the heart of winter after his head trauma suffered during his debut with the French team.
