The Atlanta Hawks have officially signed the first-overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, forward Zaccharie Risacher, the team announced on Saturday. The terms of the contract were not disclosed, per team policy.
This year marks the first No. 1 overall pick for the franchise since selecting current Hall of Famer, David Thompson, in the 1975 NBA draft.
Risacher, originally from Málaga, Spain, grew up in Lyon, France and spent his 2023-2024 season with JL Bourg in the French League Pro A — the same league that saw NBA rookie phenom, Victor Wembanyama play in a year prior.
The six-foot-nine, 19-year-old appeared in 32 French League Pro A regular season games — starting in 23 of them. He averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds on 43 per cent shooting and 35 per cent from three. His numbers earned him the 2023-24 French League Best Young Player, as well as the French LNB Pro A Best Young Player of the Month twice, earning the recognition in October and November.
Risacher also suited up for 23 EuroCup games, where he put up similar numbers to his regular season, however he did so on improved shooting percentages, converting 50 per cent from the floor while hitting 45 per cent from beyond the arc.
Before he joined JL Bourg, he played one season alongside Wembanyama for the French club ASVEL.
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