Zaccharie Risacher turned heads in his rookie season. While he did not put up usual numbers for a first overall pick, he proved to be a low-usage, high-impact player who can shoot efficiently and defend at a high level. This locked him in as a major piece in Atlanta's starting lineup moving forward.
To be clear, his numbers were not poor. In his rookie season, he averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 45.8% from the field and 35.5% from deep. Again, not the level of production most would expect out of the #1 pick, but quality minutes that routinely elevated the Hawks over their opponents.
His efficiency was what separated him from the rest of his class. It should have been the deciding factor in the Rookie of the Year race. It is rare for a 19-year-old to come into the league and immediately display that level of shotmaking. The award ended up going to Stephon Castle, who was able to pad his numbers on a non-competitive roster.
Hawks fans had high hopes for Risacher heading into year two. I mean, who wouldn't? They saw General Manager Onsi Saleh fill out the roster in ways that had never been done in franchise history. The catch-and-shoot specialist who happens to be a quality defender seemed like the perfect fit amongst a roster filled with elite playmakers and outside shooters.
It hasn't been a great second year for Risacher, but he has found ways to showcase his impact.
Risacher's standout ability, the efficient scoring he displayed last year, has taken a dip through the first quarter of the new season. In 19 games played so far, he is averaging just 11.4 points per game on 45.3% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range.
This could be attributed to a variety of factors, with the absence of Trae Young being the most notable. Risacher was lucky to have such a talented playmaker in Young to set up open looks for him his entire rookie season. Not many first-year players receive that privilege.
Young being sidelined for the early part of Risacher's second NBA season has forced him to rely on aspects of his game beyond scoring to be impactful. Luckily for him, the little things that do not show up in the stat sheet have always been a major part of his all-around impact.
Despite the rough shooting, Risacher's ability to defend multiple positions and get out in transition has been a key component to Atlanta's recent success. In the past few games, Quin Snyder has kept him on the floor in late-game situations due to his undeniable impact on both ends of the floor.
Zaccharie Risacher's game is ever-evolving. Hawks fans do not have to worry about the shooting, as that should come back as soon as Trae Young is on the floor again. In the meantime, his ability to impact the game on all levels should not go unnoticed. He is truly blossoming into a role player that every team should want.