The Atlanta Hawks had the vision even when most of the NBA world was looking elsewhere. They selected Zaccharie Risacher whom general manager Landry Fields said was their target for some time before the actual selection.
Just 57-plus games into his NBA career, Risacher has more than flashed why the Hawks feld the way they did.
It is apparent to his new teammates, too, with Georges Niang praising the youngster.
Risacher had 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting overall with 6 rebounds in the first half of the Hawks’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
Risacher entered the contest averaging 13.8 points on 51.1% shooting (48% 3P) over his last 17 appearances.
“I don’t think he gets enough credit. Because he’s coming over, language barrier, style of play. He actually was coming to a team that is in win-now mode. So nobody’s like, ‘Hey, here’s the ball. Just play around and do whatever you have to do,’” Niang said on “The Bench Seat” podcast on March 9. “When he does stuff like that, he probably gets taken out of the game. So he has to play basketball – and mistake-free basketball.
“Over the last month or two, it’s been extremely impressive to see how efficient he is. He’s 6-foot-10, he can shoot, he’s fearless. The one thing I respect about him is, as a rookie – and he’s 19 years old – is some people come in and they’re like, ‘Oh, I want to fit in.’ No. He’s trying to fit out. If there’s someone that is scoring on the other team, he’s taking the challenge to guard them. He never backs down from anybody and I just think his overall skill set – he’s 6-foot-10, he can dribble, he can shoot, and he runs like a deer. He’s going to be a problem.
Niang said that he is “excited” to be on the same team as Risacher.
The Hawks took advantage of a short-handed Sixers squad and rested Trae Young who got banged up in their previous outing, a win over the Indiana Pacers. Atlanta was seeking its third straight win, their fifth streak of at least that many games.
The Hawks are largely in control of their playoff destiny. Win and they are in. That is easier said than done, especially without Jalen Johnson.
But the Hawks are on the verge of successfully straddling two timelines.
They are trying to compete, again, albeit with a lowered ceiling due to Johnson’s absence with a torn labrum. But they are also building a tremendous foundation for the future with Risacher joining Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and, presumably, Young.