- NBA Draft 2024. NBA Draft 2024: Every player drafted and highlights of the night
- Memphis Grizzlies. Zach Edey already knows his final destiny in the NBA: Which team took the 2-time NCAA Player of the Year?
The Atlanta Hawks have taken a significant step towards revitalizing their franchise by selecting French teenager Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
The 19-year-old forward, standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing 215 pounds, is known for his catch-and-shoot scoring ability and ideal size for a wing player.
Risacher jumps from French league to NBA
Risacher expressed his excitement and gratitude following the selection.
"It's a blessing, you know," he shared.
"So exciting. There's a lot of feelings and emotions right now. I don't know what to say, but it's definitely special. I'm so blessed."
Having played for JL Bourg in France's LNB Elite league, Risacher averaged 11.1 points and 4.0 rebounds across competitions in both the EuroCup and the French league.
He follows in the footsteps of his father, Stephane Risacher, a longtime French professional basketball player and Olympic silver medalist.
"I'm real excited about what's going to happen," Risacher continued.
"I just want to do my best to help the team. I just feel like I can help a lot. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to be able to get on the court with those great players."
Despite a year without a consensus top player in the draft, the Hawks, under General Manager Landry Fields, chose to use their No. 1 pick rather than trading down for more selections.
The team hopes Risacher will become a foundational player alongside guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray and forward Jalen Johnson.
Hawks hope to rebuild with Risacher
The Hawks, who have not won a playoff series since reaching the 2021 Eastern Conference finals, are looking to break that streak with this new addition.
The selection of Risacher over other highly touted prospects, such as fellow Frenchman Alex Sarr, UConn's Donovan Clingan, and Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard, indicates Atlanta's confidence in his potential.
The Hawks secured the top pick against the odds, having only a 3% chance of winning the NBA draft lottery.
Key offseason decisions loom for the Hawks, including the future of veteran players such as center Clint Capela, who is entering the final year of his contract, and forward De'Andre Hunter.
Additionally, the team will focus on improving their defensive performance, having struggled significantly in various defensive metrics last season.