The Atlanta Hawks are fighting for the playoffs, but their journey to this point has been rife with encouraging signs for the future. One of the most important, the development of rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, has seemingly shifted tenses.
Whereas Risacher faced doubts about his ceiling and ability to acclimate to the NBA game early on, he has been on a tear of late.
He joined NBA legend and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson with his more recent feat, per Statmuse.
Risacher and Iverson are the only rookies to score at least 35 points with five or more three-pointers in NBA history. Risacher scored a career-high 38 points in a win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
His 38 points are the most scored by a rookie this season and come at a time when Risacher’s case for the Rookie of the Year award is as strong as anyone else’s.
SEVENTEEN THIRTY EIGHT
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 11, 2025
Zacch sets a new career high with 38 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/p4sXOIXmea
Since the All-Star break, Risacher ranks fourth among all rookies in points per game. That is one spot better than his season-long standing. However, any stats in which Risacher lags must also be accompanied by the context of his situation.
Risacher is playing alongside a four-time All-Star in Trae Young and a host of other established and young veterans.
The Hawks are also vying for the postseason.
That is something the rookies scoring more than he does – which, to be frank, is the most important metric in many award races – cannot boast. And yet, Risacher sat third in the ROTY odds on DraftKings at last check.
Risacher can also boast the fact that he is often tasked with the most difficult assignment on the court, given the propensity of quality starting small forwards.
Former Hawks star sends 1-word message on Zaccharie Risacher
Risacher’s performance set social media abuzz, and even drew a short but fitting reaction from former teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic.
“Zacchariiiiii,” Bogdanovic posted on X on April 10.
The Hawks traded Bogdanovic to the Los Angeles Clippers before the 2025 deadline. But he spent the first half of the season watching Risacher develop behind the scenes while trying to fit in on it.
The Hawks have fostered a positive environment for Risacher, encouraging him to simply play, a stance surely made easier by his previous professional experience playing overseas.
If any doubters remained after the Hawks made Risacher the No. 1 pick, they shouldn’t.
Risacher has met every challenge and has only proven the age-old adage that the cream always rises to the top. And to think, the 20-year-old is just getting started and will only see his role grow going forward.