Welcome to Atlanta Zacc Risacher

[HMFFL]

Season High's
Points 30
Rebounds 9
Assist 3
Steals 3
Blocks 2

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[Jamaaliver]

The flashes are there. He likely has an All Defense Team appearance in his future.

As long as the shooting translates, Zacch will be an ultra valuable piece...even if he isn't an elite contributor to the box scores.

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Hawks' Risacher on handling pressure of being a top pick

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft isn't lighting up the box score, but he's improving steadily on both ends

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Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder isn't interested in giving Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a letter grade, or attach a number 1-10 to describe how the first month and some change has gone for the rookie. That's fair given he's played just 22 games. But as the NBA's most-recent top pick, there are expectations that come with that distinction.

Through 22 games, Risacher is averaging 11.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. He's shooting just 41% from the field and 28.2% from deep, which on the surface would seem concerning, but you don't get the feeling that he doesn't belong out there when you watch the 6-foot-8 French forward play. More importantly, while it may not show up in the box score, Risacher is doing the little things on both ends of the floor -- especially on defense -- that makes you worry less about the shooting right now.

"He's doing all the things that I was hopeful that he'd do as he begins his NBA career," Snyder said. "You've seen games where it shows statistically, where he has a big shooting night. You've seen games defensively, where he's had to take a tough matchup. That might be the biggest thing to me, is seeing his versatility defensively."

More often than not, Risacher is ending games with a positive box score plus-minus because of his defensive effort. The Hawks allow five fewer points with Risacher on the floor compared to when he sits, which ranks in the 78th percentile in the league, an impressive mark for a rookie.

Snyder said that he could obviously stand to add some more muscle and weight, which will come as he gains more years in the league, but Risacher has a promising baseline. The Hawks rookie is also managing to stay locked in defensively, even when his shots aren't falling.

Risacher will be the first to tell you how big of an adjustment it has been for him from playing in Europe to the NBA. He's already called out the fact that while he was one of the most athletic guys in France, his athleticism pales in comparison to others in the NBA. But it's not just the strength, fitness and agility that have been eye-opening for the rookie, he's also having to adjust to the immense spacing and pace of play on offense.

Risacher is shooting 48.9% from the field and 40.9% from deep in the last five games. Those numbers are more in line with what he averaged last season with JL Bourg in France, so it's no surprise that he's starting to find his form in the NBA.

Risacher's counting stats may not be what we're used to from guys drafted No. 1 overall, as the last five No. 1 overall picks have averaged at least 20.1 points in their first year. But his progression in just a month-and-a-half has been promising.

And as far as the pressure that comes with carrying around that title of No. 1 draft pick, Risacher isn't focused on that.

"I feel like the only thing I can control is what I put on the court," Risacher said. "I just make sure I'm focused on the right thing. I want to be the best version of myself, and as soon as I'm doing that, all the pressure goes away."

CBS Sports

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[graymule]

I'm so happy we drafted Zacc!

[tbhawksfan1]

It would be nice to have a few new French posters...I mean #1 pick
I guess they're all Wemby fans

[atlantabbq99]

Every time Zac hits a three, i always say out loud "Vive la Risacher!!"

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

I believe this extended break and practice time is really gonna be beneficial to Zacc.

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[jayu70]

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[Jamaaliver]

This was the risk in drafting a kid with zero creation skills at #1 -- and then making him a starter before he was fully acclimated into the league.

Sentiment has turned on the kid pretty swiftly.

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[tbhawksfan1]

This was the risk in drafting a kid with zero creation skills at #1 -- and then making him a starter before he was fully acclimated into the league.

Sentiment has turned on the kid pretty swiftly.

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Completely disagree. This was 2024, not those other years. Hawks were extremely lucky with the lottery and I can't wait for Ris to mature and prove so many wrong

I am already very impressed and Quin is handling it perfectly

[HMFFL]

19 years old and he's shows so much promise.

I expect the second half of the season to be huge for him.

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