Hawks' Zaccharie Risacher passes eye test in 1st summer league showing

Atlanta Hawks rookie and No.1 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft Zaccharie Risacher finished with 18 points on 43.8% shooting, including 3-for-9 from beyond the arc. He added five rebounds, two assists, and one block while turning the ball over once and committing one personal foul.

The stats – both good and bad – will not translate to the regular season 1-for-1. But Risacher’s diverse skill set and evident comfort on the floor should.

He showcased a plethora of offensive skills and moves, proving effective early.

As the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, expectations were rightfully high for Risacher coming into the contest. It was a 94-88 loss to the Washington Wizards and No. 2 pick Alexandre Sarr, formerly the betting favorite to go No. 1 overall. 

Sarr made waves pre-draft for avoiding working out for the Hawks. When pressed for an explanation, Sarr suggested it was his team’s decision. 

He finished the contest with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and one steal.

Sarr did not shoot the ball particularly well, going 4-for-12 from the floor. He also picked up four personal fouls. But he turned the ball over two times in a game-high 32-plus minutes and connected on two of his five looks from deep.

The debate about whether the Hawks made the right choice could take years to decide. But for one night at least, Risacher looked every bit the part of a top pick, flashing his high upside.

Hawks media weighs in on Zaccharie Risacher’s summer league debut

“Risacher checking the boxes that you want to see checked through 3 quarters,” “Locked On Hawks” host Brad Rowland posted on X on July 12.

Risacher had 12/4/2 through three frames, including this trip off Mouhamed Gueye’s block.

“He was terrific. His offensive flow makes his teammates better not worse and he just didn’t make bad decisions really at all,” NBA.com’s Kevin Chouinard responded on X to a fan who asked if Risacher’s stats told the entire story.

The 6-foot-10 wing also showcased some sneaky passing chops, not all of which were rewarded with makes by his teammates.

Former Brooklyn Nets assistant-turned-analyst Steve Jones noted Risacher’s “versatility.”

“Zaccharie Risacher plays with some flair. Clearly skilled,” The Athletic’s Josh Robbins posted among his initial impressions which also included positive feedback for Sarr and his teammate Bub Carrington. 

Carrington finished with 19 points, nine boards, eight assists, one block, and one steal on the night.

Risacher told 92.9 The Game’s Caleb Johnson he did “okay” with the physicality.

“I know I can be better at that,” Risacher told Johnson after the game. “I have to put weight on my body and just keep getting stronger.”

The Hawks had several other notable performances and performers in the contest. Among the most notable was Gueye, a 2023 second-round pick who finished just behind Risacher with 17 points four rebounds, three steals, one assist, and one block.

He was inefficient (4-for-13) and committed seven fouls (summer league allows 10).

Veteran Dylan Windler had 12 points, going 4-for-0 from deep and adding eight boards with two steals and one assist. He is a candidate for a two-way slot again.

Risacher’s classmate and second-round pick Nikola Đurišić finished with seven points, two assists (to three turnovers), two rebounds, one block and one steal. More importantly, he showed a preternatural ability to run an offense and distribute the basketball.

Next for Risacher and Co., the San Antonio Spurs and No. 4 pick Stephon Castle on July 14.