Zaccharie Risacher left Atlanta Hawks fans optimistic after last season, despite an underwhelming finish from the team. His performance in the second half of the season was cited as a big reason the team felt comfortable having the bold offseason they did.
Risacher averaged 14.1 points per game on 50% from the field and 41% from three after the All-Star break, making a serious case for the Rookie of the Year award. While his talent and potential played a significant role in his development, Risacher also credited Trae Young.
Risacher had high praise for Young's on-court presence, telling BasketNews, "I feel like we established a connection during the year. Honestly, it was great for me to play with him. Obviously, he's one of the best passers in the league."
Perhaps more importantly, Risacher said that Young's off-court presence had a substantial impact on him. "I feel like I was lucky to start in the NBA, my rookie season with him by my side," Risacher said. "Yeah, just a great guy outside the court, too. It's exciting to see him again in September."
Young has blossomed as a player and leader in his Atlanta tenure
On the court, Young's willingness and talent when passing the ball are what make him such a special player. His scoring is what makes everything possible, but many good scorers in the NBA cannot be the fulcrum of an efficient offense.
What Young understands that these scorers don't is that passing and scoring work hand in hand. High-level scoring draws help defense, enabling the pass; high-level passing freezes help defenders, generating scoring opportunities. Young is the textbook example of what happens when a dynamic scorer masters this balance.
It is easy for outsiders to forget the impact that off-court developments can have on the fate of a team. Just like you and I, NBA players perform better at work when they enjoy their teammates and have strong leadership within the organization.
The greatest winners in basketball don't talk about the talent they had on their team when they look back on their glory days. Rather, they credit the willingness of everyone on the team to do what needed to be done. Whether it's a star player spending their time connecting with a rookie or a player accepting a less prominent role, sacrifice and hard work are what championships are built on.
Trae Young gets this, and Risacher's comments are just the latest confirmation. Other evidence supporting this claim includes Young's recruiting efforts this offseason and Atlanta's internal belief that Young is a remarkable leader.
Young's selfless attitude on and off the court makes him perhaps the perfect star to play next to, and this could be a reason the Hawks' prospects have seen such remarkable developmental success. He works hard, is willing to sacrifice, and is actively trying to feed his teammates the ball. What more could you ask for?