Zaccharie Risacher’s NBA Debut Disappoints Fans as Trae Young, Hawks Win vs. Nets
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVOctober 24, 2024
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Atlanta Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher, the top overall pick in the NBA draft this summer, hit the very first regular-season shot he took in his NBA career, a catch-and-shoot three off a Trae Young assist.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportNo. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher drains his FIRST ATTEMPT in NBA history 🎯🔥 pic.twitter.com/LIIaxYulbq
His debut went downhill from there.
The rookie wing struggled during Wednesday’s 120-116 win over the Brooklyn Nets, finishing with seven points on just 2-of-8 shooting from the field. He added one rebound, no assists and one turnover in 19 minutes. He also missed two free throws in four attempts.
Here was the other shot he made:
NBA @NBATrae Young DIME to Zaccharie Risacher for the jam 👀
Nets-Hawks 4Q action live on NBA League Pass!
📲 https://t.co/tmuq5DT5Nh pic.twitter.com/lWLuYWWx0N
Not every rookie can break the NBA upon hitting the league like Victor Wembanyama did last season, and Risacher entered the league a far less polished product. That showed on Wednesday, a fact that didn’t escape NBA fans and pundits alike:
StatMuse @statmuseZaccharie Risacher in his NBA debut:
7 PTS
2-8 FG
1-4 3P
Tough start for the first overall pick. pic.twitter.com/QUzjeRQJcO
John Hollinger @johnhollingerClassic rookie moment as Risacher steps out of bounds on the sideline trying to line up a catch-and-shoot 3.
Blank. @TheMSeries1Non-Trae minutes of the Hawks with the second unit needs some work.
Dyson Daniels is the goods. Risacher will gel more as the season progresses. High octane offense with the defense to match makes this Hawks team look much better.
Reg @REGGIES_WORLDFirst Quarter was great, 2nd quarter back. Non Trae minutes were a killer.
Bogi struggled to find his shot. Felt like Risacher was rushing a bit on his shots after his 1st make but he looked okay.
Mr Ass @JohnchoVillaThe Zaccharie Risacher finishing at the rim has been pretty bad.
Which was on tape in pre-draft dives.
Kam_13attle @pluto_dreams3Risacher and Jalen can you give me something
woosh @sasuhiveWAKE UP RISACHER
Travyy Season @LexisKingJrRisacher pick up the pace
Robert de brus @badabumbum44Risacher is bad. Anthony Bennett.
Tommy Bresee @bresee_thomasWell Risacher has the confidence, that’s for sure!
B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman compared Risacher to scoring wings like Michael Porter Jr. and Harrison Barnes back in his April scouting report of the young prospect, noting that his “valued archetype, translatable skill set and room to improve” made him one of the safer players available, alongside his “potential to add more creation and playmaking from his ball-handling development.”
The 2024 NBA draft didn’t offer a highly regarded group of prospects, especially near the top of the board, but 3-and-D wings with excellent athleticism and length—and the potential to grow into secondary playmakers—are incredibly valuable in the modern NBA.
Whether Risacher can check off all of those boxes remains to be seen. One game is obviously a minuscule sample size. But for Risacher, his NBA debut left plenty of room—namely on the offensive end—for growth and development.
