Zaccharie Risacher makes notable selection for Hawks jersey number

With the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft the Atlanta Hawks selected Zaccharie Risacher of JL Bourg.

The 6-foot-10 wing intrigues with his tantalizing size and skill set, projecting as a two-way threat the likes of which the Hawks have had scant few. Risacher, who said he is willing to do whatever the team needs from him, has elected to wear the No. 10 next season.

If he lives up to some of the players who have worn that, it could be a good year

As with any jersey number, not everyone who has worn it has left an indelible mark on the league. But there have also been some notable figures who did in multiple ways.

10 best No. 10s in Hawks history

Mookie Blaylock – 1992-93 to 1998-99 – 14.9 PPG, 7.3 APG, 4.6 RPG, 2.6 SPG

Mookie Blaylock did not start or finish his career with the Hawks. But he enjoyed his longest tenure with any team in Atlanta. 

He garnered attention for his efforts too, earning votes for Most Improved Player, All-Defensive teams, All-Star teams, and even Defensive Player of the Year and MVP. Blaylock earned his lone All-Star appearance and led the NBA in steals twice during his time with the Hawks.

Blaylock was the No. 12 overall pick of the 1989 NBA Draft by the then-New Jersey Nets.

He spent the first three seasons of his career with the Nets before they traded him to the Hawks in 1992. 

The Hawks traded him to the Golden State Warriors in 1999 in a deal that included landing Jason Terry in the draft that year. Blaylock had a 312-206 career record with the Hawks, making the postseason in each of his seven seasons with the organization.

Mike Bibby – 2007-08 to 2010-11 – 11.7 PPG, 4.5 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG

Mike Bibby’s individual stats don’t pop off the page. But the team’s success during his time does, with the Hawks making the postseason every year during his tenure. 

Acquired at the 2008 trade deadline in a deal that sent out four players – including Lue – and draft capital, he was dealt away in a similar fashion in 2011, though the Hawks sent him out in a package with a first-round pick for Hilton Armstrong and Kirk Heinrich.

Bibby played 14 seasons in total.

Originally entering the league as the No. 2 overall pick with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Bibby also spent time with the Kings, Wizards, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks.

Tyronn Lue – 2003-04 to 2007-08 – 11.0 PPG, 3.6 APG, 1.8 RPG

Tyronn Lue’s final line with the Hawks highlights what the team’s record during his tenure (58-131) undermines. The group peaked in his final season winning 37 games, the most during his time.

However, the Hawks traded him to the Sacramento Kings at the deadline that season. 

The Kings waived the then-30-year-old Lue two weeks later. He eventually signed with the Dallas Mavericks and spent time with the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic before his playing career ended. 

Lue, who won back-to-back titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999 and 2000, also spent time with the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets during his playing career.

Best of the rest: Nos. 4-10 to Wear No. 10 for the Hawks

Bob Carpenter – 1950-51 – 6.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists: 1st player to wear the number in franchise history, though they were still the “Tri-Cities Blackhawks at the time.

John Battle – 1989-1991 (1985-86 to 1990-91) – 9.3 PPG, 2.2 APG, 1.5 RPG: Received some Most Improved Player attention in 1987-88 

Steve Hawes – 1977-1983 – 10.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.1 APG: Playoff appearances in four of his six full seasons with the Hawks. Uncle of former NBA big man Spencer Hawes

Tim Hardaway Jr – 2015-16 to 2016-17 –11.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.8 APG: Received Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player attention. Playoffs in both Seasons. Son of Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway.

Maurice Cheeks – 1992 – 4.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.5 APG: Hall of Famer who joined the Hawks in the twilight of his career and has carved out a long NBA tenure as a coach. 

Randy Wittman – 1984-1988 –10.0 PPG, 2.9 APG, 1.7 RPG: Playoffs in four of five seasons with the Hawks

Don Ohl – 1969-1970 – 10.0 PPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 RPG: First player to wear the number in Atlanta, switching from No. 30 when the team moved from St. Louis.