Zaccharie Risacher became the second Frenchman in as many years to be selected first overall in the NBA Draft when the Atlanta Hawks selected the 6-foot-9 forward to begin Wednesday’s proceedings in Brooklyn.
Risacher follows Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 rookie sensation who went first to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft.
And Risacher, 19, wasn’t the only Frenchman in Wednesday’s draft. Six-foot-tall Alex Sarr is also considered among this year’s top talents.
Immediately after being selected No. 1 in this year’s draft, Risacher said, “It’s a blessing, you know?” Very exciting. There is a love of love and emotions that I am feeling right now. It definitely feels so special. I am so blessed.
‘I’m very happy to have my friends and family here. This is incredible. I don’t know what to say. Special.’
Zaccharie Risacher walks the red carpet before the NBA basketball draft on Wednesday
The teenager, who is a forward, wowed in LNB Pro A, France’s top-tier men’s professional basketball league, this year with 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game in a postseason run for JL Bourg.
He is projected to be a three-and-D type player in the NBA, which led to his high selection in this year’s draft class.
Despite his height, Risacher acts as a wingman. He has shown flashes of his speed and coordination, while also displaying extreme fluidity for his size, which earned him a EuroCup Rising Star nomination last season.
Risacher, considered a very efficient catch-and-shoot player, was selected for the French senior basketball team’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifying campaign in February. However, he is not on the roster for this summer’s Olympics.
Risacher’s father, Stéphane, played basketball professionally and won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with France following an 85-75 loss to the United States.
The Hawks, who have been heavily linked with trade rumors involving Trae Young to the LA Lakers, will look to rebuild under Risacher after missing the playoffs last season. Their forwards include 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-8 stars Saddiq Bey and De’Andre Hunter.
Atlanta will look to pair Risacher with one of its big men, Clint Capela or Fernando Bruno, to form a promising forward that can take over if Young or guard Dejounte Murray need to sit.
That all depends on whether Young will still be a Hawk ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, which begins in late October.