Zaccharie Risacher, the top pick in the NBA Draft, made an exciting first impression for the Atlanta Hawks during their season opener against the Brooklyn Nets. In a moment that many players dream of, the young French forward sank his first career shot from beyond the 3-point line, earning a cheer from the enthusiastic crowd in Atlanta.
However, the 19-year-old quickly encountered the challenges of competing at this level. After his promising start, Risacher struggled with his shooting and finished the game with seven points on a 2-of-8 shooting performance. The Hawks ultimately secured a 120-116 victory, much to his delight.
Reflecting on his debut, Risacher expressed his joy, stating, “It was amazing. That’s a dream come true. I really enjoyed it. I’m glad we won — and on to the next one. I can’t wait to play another game in two days. That’s going to be fun.”
Risacher made his entrance into the game with just under four minutes remaining in the first quarter, receiving a warm welcome from the sellout crowd at State Farm Arena. As the Hawks look to rebuild, they are counting on his talent to help elevate the franchise’s success.
“It was definitely a special moment,” Risacher noted. “I’m super happy to be here, and I can feel around me the joy and good vibes. I’m super grateful to be a part of this organization, this city.”
His scoring debut was marked by the successful 3-pointer, described by Risacher as “the perfect situation,” as he received an open pass during a fast break. However, his performance took a downturn as he missed his next six attempts, three from long range. One of his other highlights came in the form of a powerful dunk fed by star guard Trae Young in the game’s final minutes.
Acknowledging his struggles, Risacher commented, “I wasn’t as efficient as I’m used to being, so that was a little bit disappointing to me. But it’s part of the game.” He recognized the adjustment required to thrive in the NBA compared to his previous experience in France, saying, “I’m only 19, so this is a big adjustment for me. I’ll be better and better and better.”
Despite the inconsistency in his shooting, Hawks coach Quin Snyder was impressed with Risacher’s efforts during his 19 minutes on the court. Snyder emphasized the importance of contributing to the game in various ways, stating, “The point of emphasis is you’re not going to make shots every night. How do you impact the game other ways, whether it’s a pass or a cut defensively?”
Snyder also praised Risacher’s determination to remain confident in his shooting ability, reassuring that “you don’t stop shooting because he’s a really good shooter.” As the season progresses, Risacher looks forward to improving and continues to embrace the journey ahead.