NBA Draft Rumors: Zaccharie Risacher Works Out for Hawks; Spurs, Wizards Scheduled

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJune 19, 2024

Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

Potential No. 1 overall draft pick Zaccharie Risacher worked out for the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, and he’s then headed to workouts with the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards.

That’s per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, who was responding to a question from ESPN’s Christine Williamson on NBA Today regarding whether he thought the Hawks knew who they’re picking at No. 1 overall. Givony said he didn’t think Atlanta has made a decision yet (5:35 mark).

Jonathan Givony @DraftExpressWent on NBA Today to discuss Bronny James, why he’s only worked out for just two NBA teams so far, package deals and which teams that might have interest in him on draft night. pic.twitter.com/6gXMRjz1xo

Risacher, a 6’8″, 204-pound wing, played last season for JL Bourg-en-Bresse in France’s top league (LNB Pro A). In 49 games (including league and EuroCup play), Risacher averaged 11.1 points on 48.7 percent shooting (42.4 percent from three) and 3.8 rebounds.

Jonathan Wasserman currently projects Risacher to go No. 1 overall to the Hawks in his latest mock draft.

Right now, Risacher is the slight favorite at -125 odds to be named the No. 1 overall pick, per FanDuel Sportsbook. However, ex-Perth Wildcats center Alex Sarr isn’t far behind at +115. The only other player with a realistic shot at being the No. 1 pick is UConn center Donovan Clingan (+430).

The prognosticators seem to think that Risacher is going first. Aside from Wasserman, Givony and ESPN’s Jeremy Woo have him landing with the Hawks, and the same goes for Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer and nbadraft.net’s latest projection.

Ultimately, Risacher’s reported workouts with San Antonio and Washington may be moot points. The Wizards do have the second pick, so if the Hawks go with Sarr or Clingan, they can be right there to take Risacher. San Antonio seems to far back at No. 4 and No. 8 (unless they trade up) to have a shot at Risacher.

We’ll find out soon enough where Risacher lands and what the Hawks do with the draft beginning next Wednesday.