With the Boston Celtics clinching their 18th NBA championship, the basketball world now shifts its attention to the upcoming NBA draft. The latest buzz surrounds Zaccharie Risacher, who has emerged as the top prospect in ESPN’s most recent mock draft.
Risacher’s stock has risen significantly, making him the new favorite to be the first overall pick, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, where his odds are listed at -125. This surge in Risacher’s popularity comes from a recent workout with the Atlanta Hawks. His impressive performance has solidified his status as the leading contender for the top pick.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report also projects Risacher to go first overall to the Hawks in his latest mock draft.
“We continue to give the edge to Risacher, a perceived safe pick with a valued archetype and pathways to improve and bust through the three-and-D level that he brings to JL Bourg,” Wasserman reported.
Wasserman later noted Risacher’s reliable nature in Risacher’s game, which makes him an attractive choice for teams seeking a solid and versatile player.
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“While scouts continue to debate the height of Risacher’s ceiling, there is a perceived level of certainty tied to his positional size, shooting, and defensive tools/quickness. That could sway the Hawks to lean his way without a sure-thing star at the top.”
Before Risacher’s recent rise, Alex Sarr had been the favorite to be the first pick for some time. Reportedly, Risacher will also pay a visit to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.
Zaccharie Risacher Career Highlights
Zaccharie Risacher proved his talent last season, playing for JL Bourg-en-Bresse in France’s top basketball league, LNB Pro A. The French prospect scored a career-high 28 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 29 minutes.
His impressive last season game earned him the prestigious 2024 EuroCup Rising Star Award. This honor was previously bestowed upon notable players such as Kristaps Porzingis and Jonas Valanciunas.
Over the course of 49 games, which included both league and EuroCup matches, Risacher averaged 11.1 points per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from beyond the arc. He also contributed 3.8 rebounds per game.
In EuroCup play specifically, Risacher’s performance was even more remarkable. He averaged 13.1 points per game with an outstanding shooting percentage of 56.6 percent across 17 games.
