Zacharie Risacher is a model of simplicity. Humble, simple and true to family values. Affable for his first press briefing at the Atlanta Hawks on Friday morning, the number 1 of the 2024 Draft followed up with answers, in his hoarse voice, sometimes hesitant in English but without braggadocio. This discretion contrasts with winger Nikola Đurisic, chosen in 43rd place by the Hawks. “Show your biceps”the Serbian said to the Frenchman during a photo shoot between rookies.
First time in the new threads for the rooks pic.twitter.com/qenOuBUoq6
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 28, 2024
More than the sidelines of a basketball player's life, the court remains his favorite arena of expression, the one where he excels and shines the most. “I just focus on the good things: being a professional player, being serious and keeping my routinehe emphasized at a press conference. I don't worry too much about outside noise. »
“Everything is designed to progress and to win”
Arriving on the sly Thursday morning, while all eyes were on the CNN studios for the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, Zaccharie Risacher took the time to get to know his surroundings. “I really feel like everything is designed to progress and to win so it's incredible, he explains to USA Basketball in the training center Emory Sports Medicine Complex20 minutes from the city center. I can't wait to settle in here and find my routines.” Atlanta is not unknown to him – “It's the only city I know in the United States”he said just after his draft – since he trained in Georgia two years ago before returning there once his Burgess season was over in order to prepare for workouts.
His face – and that of Nikola Đurisic – is discreetly displayed around Centennial Olympic Park or next to State Farm Arena. The excitement is minimal, Hawks fans, some of whom were hoping for Alexandre Sarr to join, are waiting to see him at work. “We were very divided before the draft but we are impatient to see him play, says Jeffrey Pearsall, a Hawks season ticket holder for over 20 years. He fits perfectly into what Atlanta is looking for: shooting, defense and size on the wings.”
Around Centennial Olympic Park or next to State Farm Arena, Zaccharie Risacher's face is displayed (discreetly) in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/Fos7b2EDzB
— Théo Quintard (@TheoQuintard) June 30, 2024
With a smile on his face, the general manager of the Hawks, Landry Landry, is equally enthusiastic. “He is a player with a significant basketball IQhe explains to the French press. The development he has made so far is fantastic and he is only 19 years old. We want to help him become the best version of himself. He has evolved in a competitive environment and developed qualities that are perfect for the NBA game.”
“It's the perfect photograph of the modern player”
Shunned by ASVEL, his training club, Zaccharie Risacher especially took on another dimension at the neighboring Bourgien last year. A EuroCup finalist and Betclic Élite semi-finalist, the new Hawks winger was quickly given responsibility by Frédéric Fauthoux. His two titles of best young player on the national and European scene are two of the markers of a successful season. A stage “decisive” in his young career where, by his own admission, ” [il] learned a lot ».
“It’s the perfect photograph of the modern player.underlines his individual coach, Anthony Brossard, in discussions with the Hawks, as he explained to DNA of Sports, to follow his foal across the Atlantic. He had the intelligence to take from the best: he has the ability to play all-terrain like Kevin Durant and has the outside shot of a Ray Allen or a Klay Thompson. In addition to being a good attacker, he likes to defend and that's what gives him a unique side. »
With his new status as number 1 in the draft, Zaccharie Risacher does not want “put more pressure on yourself than that”recalling that Victor Wembanyama, selected No. 1 last year by the San Antonio Spurs, and he are “two different players” and that they have both “high ambitions”. In short, he has no intention of becoming another player. Not today nor tomorrow. “I'm not going to change overnight. I have to do what I know how to do, but without letting others do it to me.”he already said in New York, after being drafted in first position of the 2024 vintage.
️ Zaccharie Risacher: “No comparison can be made with Victor (Wembanyama). There is no more pressure than that to put on yourself. We represent our country, we both achieved our dream (of playing in the NBA), we have high ambitions.” pic.twitter.com/Yye6XmMd5y
— Théo Quintard (@TheoQuintard) June 29, 2024
His family, his pillar
Praised for his professionalism, Zaccharie Risacher draws his calm and serenity from his family roots. In the Risacher household, basketball is a must. Almost a religion. His father, Stéphane Risacher, had a rich basketball career between PSG-Racing, Olympiakos and Malaga – where his son was born – also finishing Olympic vice-champion in Sydney in 2000. His mother, Sandrine, works in basketball match production. The youngest of the family, Aïnhoa, is just as talented as her big brother: born in 2007 and MVP of the last European Championship won by France last summer, she also has a bright future ahead of her.
Zaccharie Risacher, all smiles with his new tunic on his shoulders. pic.twitter.com/LXmxxI4eYZ
— Théo Quintard (@TheoQuintard) June 28, 2024
“I quickly understood that he was a version 2.0 or even 3.0 of the player I was, says Stéphane Risacher, his voice calm, taking care to choose each of his words. The skills developed by young players are tenfold compared to what we were doing at their time. There are milestones that make me say that the advances are extraordinary.”
A culture change at the Hawks?
Number one of a 2024 vintage presented as one of the weakest in history, Zaccharie Risacher seems to be at the heart of the Hawks reconstruction project. After two years of an unsuccessful collaboration between Dejounte Murray – Trae Young, Atlanta decided to trade the former San Antonio Spurs fullback to New Orleans, thus recovering Larry Nance Jr and Dyson Daniels. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the city's main newspaper, was quick to warn the franchise's front office once the draft was over. “The Hawks need a big culture change for No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher to become the star”writes journalist Michael Cunningham in daily columns.
A complete player ready to play in the NBA, Zaccharie Risacher has all the tools to excel in the big league. A strong defender with a 2.10 m wingspan, he has forged a solid 3-point shot. His ability to create his own shot is undoubtedly his main area of work. From there to becoming one of the faces of the league in the coming years? “He has a long way to go but I think he can reach Tatum's level, sketch by Michael Cunningham. He has the profile to be a star on both ends of the floor and help his team win. But that won't happen until the Hawks transform a game that is focused on guards and a defensive lineup, to one that relies on big wings who make things difficult for opponents.”
