24 hours before the start of the regular season, and 48 hours before his big debut in the NBA, Zacharie Risacher presented himself to the French press. Among the fourteen French representatives on the starting line for this 2024-2025 season, the Hawks winger will be without one of the most watched tricolors. Number 1 in the 2024 Draft, Atlanta's new winger has been unanimously unanimous since his arrival in Georgia. “He is a special boy, passionate, who loves to work and has a lot of talent”recently praised his new coach Quin Snyder. “He’s going to have a long career in this league. We don’t need to compare it to other external standards.”
Author of a remarkable preseason, the former ASVEL and Bourg-en-Bresse winger says he is delighted with his first steps in his new franchise. Accompanied by his individual coach Anthony Brossard, he spoke via videoconference, in which DNA of Sports participated two days before his debut against the Nets.
In what state of mind are you approaching this new adventure in the NBA?
I'm super excited, enthusiastic, I can't wait to start the adventure. It's a childhood dream come true. I am even more excited and determined to make my contribution. I want to win NBA games now, I can't wait to move forward with the Hawks.
What do you think you bring to the team?
I'm a pretty versatile player. I like to defend in several positions and on offense, I have a card to play with my 3-point shot; This is the area where I feel most comfortable. I'm lucky that it's a dimension of the game that the team needs. Especially since it's where I feel most comfortable. Taking rebounds, playing in transition, attacking the basket hard, finding alternation in the game, setting screens: I can do almost everything depending on the needs of the team during the season.
What is your view on the massive arrival of French people in the NBA this season, with a contingent of 14 French players in the Grand League?
I think it's great. Having so many French players in the league is strong because it is a very competitive league. It's super rewarding. There is a lot of excitement. I am happy and excited to share this American experience with several of my compatriots because we more or less went through the same journey (in France). We each managed to build our nest to achieve our goals and dreams by joining this league.
Do you feel any particular expectation with your status as No. 1 in the Draft?
I am very grateful to have fallen into this franchise because we share the same state of mind. From the beginning, I always focused on what mattered most: working every day and trying to help his team win. The Hawks really want to develop me, there is real support: they don't expect me to immediately be the headliner of the franchise. Atlanta has ambitions for my future; I know that I will be able to develop and flourish in the future.
Cow will your season go from a logistical point of view?
I already rented an apartment in downtown Atlanta because I wanted to be close to life and not invest in an out-of-the-way house. I really want to discover the city and be close to the people. My parents will come to see me once a month to support me and make sure that I am well and that I am not lacking anything. I'm only 19 years old and it's important to have this (family) environment, even if I'm super happy to have emancipated myself. My sister is still in Lyon (at the ASVEL training center) so they can't afford to stay with me all the time.
Would you like to succeed Victor Wembanyama for the rookie of the year title?
That would be great. It's an individual reward to be sought. But what I can control above all is the field and the game and that requires daily work and strong self-sacrifice. By focusing on the essential elements of my new life as an NBA basketball player, I know that good things will happen naturally. I try not to be too interested in this possible trophy.
Your coach Anthony Brossard will follow you in the NBA…
The fact that he can come to Atlanta is really a plus in my career. I am satisfied and happy with our work. With Antho, we understand each other whether at the basketball level or in everyday life so that would be beneficial to me. We live almost next door so I am lucky to be able to benefit from his advice even after training or in moments that are a little more “off”.
Your father, Stéphane, silver medalist at the Sydney Olympics with 124 selections, wore the French team jersey for a long time. What connection do you have with this tricolor jersey?
It would be a dream to defend the colors of my country at the highest level. I was able to do it in February (in Brest, during a EuroBasket 2025 qualifying match). It remains a special feeling. I am used to spending my summers away from my family with my last campaigns with the young French team.
I'm super happy to be able to claim a place in the French team in the future. It would be a childhood dream. Wearing the blue jersey is one of my goals; although I am preparing to play my first season in the NBA, the French team is inevitably in the back of my mind. I obviously have my sights set on the next European Championship.
Like Victor Wembanyama a year before you, you were drafted as the first choice. Do you feel any form of pressure?
No comparison is possible with Victor, he is a unique player. I'm just in awe of what he's doing and what he's done. We come from the same country, we followed the same path a generation apart, whether in Betclic Elite or in the NBA with this first choice.
It's incredible to have a person like Victor to draw inspiration from. I don't know him very well but he was kind enough to congratulate me by sending me a message after the draft.
From our correspondent in the United States.
