The Atlanta Hawks used its first ever number one overall draft selection of the NBA lottery era on 19-year-old French forward Zaccharie Risacher.
Following the draft, Risacher was introduced to the media via Zoom. Asked what he believes he can bring to the Hawks team from a player standpoint, Risacher said, “I just want to do my best . I feel like I can help a lot.”
He took several questions and wore an Atlanta Hawks cap during his 10 minutes on screen. Risacher said he was proud of being the number one overall pick and added that he thought the moment was “amazing.”
Risacher played his professional ball with JL Boug of the LNB Pro A in France, averaging 10 points and just under four rebounds per game during the previous season. The Frenchman had a private workout with the Hawks while projected number one overall pick Alex Sarr declined to workout for the Hawks, according to multiple reports. Sarr previously played for Overtime Elite in Atlanta in 2021 and professionally in Australia last season.
Risacher was seen working out at Core4 in Brookhaven all week this week following his workout with the Atlanta Hawks. He’s the second consecutive French player to be drafted number one overall. Risacher is also one of three French-born players drafted within the first six selections along with Sarr (to Washington with second overall selection) and Tidjane Salaun (to Charlotte with the sixth overall pick).
“Personally, it means a lot for all of us, but especially for our country,” Risacher said of the French domination of the early picks in the 2024 draft. “I know France stayed up all night to watch this.”
