Zaccharie Risacher has had a regrettable start to the season.
Through his first 15 games of the season, Risacher averaged 11.3 points on 29.2% from deep and 44.2% from the field. Each of these is a regression from his rookie stats. When combined with the strange, unexplained minutes restriction levied on him, Risacher had very few positives to take away.
In his past two games, however, Risacher has come alive. Despite getting trounced by the Wizards on Tuesday night, Risacher dropped 17 points on 4/9 from three and 2/3 from two in an overall smooth offensive performance. He also tallied two steals and three blocks against the Wizards, building upon his defensive improvement this season.
In the following game against the Cavaliers, Risacher had 14 points on 2/3 from deep and a perfect 3/3 from two. This included the game-winning corner three, where Risacher was contested and off-balance after a dime from a driving Jalen Johnson.
This marks the best two-game three point shooting stretch of Risacher’s season thus far. The French sophomore was drafted in large part due to how his elite and versatile deep shot meshed with his otherwise all-around game. When the deep shot wasn’t falling earlier this season, however, Risacher received criticism from fans. Or perhaps more accurately, the Hawks received criticism from fans for drafting Risacher over Sarr.
Risacher is primed to break out when his shot falls
Hawks fans know as well as anyone that Risacher isn’t your everyday first overall pick. He doesn’t create his own shot, nor does he possess mind-blowing physical traits. He was drafted to be an “All-Star role player,” as I like to call them – a player so good at doing the little things that their impact rivals that of a traditional All-Star.
If Risacher can continue to improve as a shooter this season, he could be one of the most valuable role players in the NBA next season. He isn’t just a good three point shooter; he is a shooter who can knock down looks from a variety of situations, whether backpedaling, curling, off a dribble, or in transition.
Risacher isn’t quite a finished product yet, but he has taken the strides necessary for him to be the All-Star role player Atlanta needs him to be. He has jumped from an ok to good defender, and he has the potential to be a truly elite backside help defender. His ball skills have developed, and he rarely looks flustered.
Now that he has some momentum with the deep shot, Risacher could take the leap from exciting youngster to impactful playoff starter in the near future. If he does, the rest of the league will be on standby as he would round out an elite full-strength starting five.