Zaccharie Risacher Bio
Zaccharie Risacher is a French professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 203 centimeters tall and playing primarily as a small forward, he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, becoming one of the most talked-about young prospects in international basketball. Born in Málaga, Spain, on 8 April 2005, Risacher developed through French club academies before establishing himself in the LNB Élite and on the senior French national team. His combination of length, shooting efficiency, and perimeter defense has shaped his early reputation in the league.
Early Life and Background
Zaccharie Risacher was born on 8 April 2005, in Málaga, Spain, where his father, Stéphane Risacher, played professional basketball for Baloncesto Málaga from 2002 to 2006. After his father’s playing stint in Spain ended, the family moved back to Lyon, France, where the young Risacher first picked up a basketball. He began playing at the Élan Chalon youth setup at age three and a half before joining the youth club Tassin in the suburbs of Lyon.
Risacher entered the ASVEL Basket youth program in August 2020. Within the structure, he primarily featured for the club’s under-21 team in the LNB Espoirs, the French developmental league. His progression through ASVEL’s youth ranks laid the groundwork for a transition to senior professional basketball at a young age.
Path to Professional Basketball
Rising through ASVEL’s academy, Risacher caught attention for his size, perimeter shooting, and mature understanding of the game. His work in the LNB Espoirs gave him meaningful minutes against grown professionals on a regular basis, accelerating his development. By the time he signed his first professional contract in June 2023, he had already gained experience at both club and youth international levels.
At the international junior level, Risacher represented France at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on the way to a bronze medal. He also featured in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit, a showcase event that often highlights the top high-school and pre-professional talent in the world. These appearances positioned him firmly on the radar of NBA scouts.
Zaccharie Risacher Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Risacher made his senior debut with LDLC ASVEL in 2021, appearing in a LNB Élite match against Metropolitans 92. He made his EuroLeague debut on 18 January 2022, in a 75–100 loss to Monaco, while continuing to log significant minutes in the LNB Espoirs, where he averaged 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
During the 2022–23 season, Risacher helped LDLC ASVEL secure the LNB Élite championship. His contributions in domestic competition were recognized when he was named to the roster for the 2023 LNB All-Star Game on 29 November 2023. He also lifted the Leaders Cup that season, adding another piece of silverware to his résumé.
LDLC ASVEL and JL Bourg Breakthrough (2023–2024)
On 16 June 2023, Risacher signed his first professional contract with ASVEL and was immediately loaned out to fellow top-flight side JL Bourg for the 2023–24 season. The move gave him a more prominent offensive role, and he responded with consistent scoring and versatile defense.
Internationally at club level, Risacher featured for JL Bourg in the 2023–24 EuroCup, helping the team reach the Finals before a defeat to fellow French side Paris Basketball. In April 2024, he was awarded the EuroCup Rising Star prize, becoming the second-youngest player ever to win the award at 18 years and 362 days, one month older than Džanan Musa, who won it in 2018. On 12 May 2024, he was named the Best Young Player of the 2023–24 LNB Élite season after averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in roughly 22 minutes per game.
Atlanta Hawks Era (2024–Present)
On 22 April 2024, Risacher declared for the 2024 NBA draft, with his entry confirmed by the NBA on 2 May. On 26 June 2024, the Atlanta Hawks selected him with the first overall pick, making him the second consecutive French player taken at number one after Victor Wembanyama. He became the fifth international player taken with the top selection, following Wembanyama, Andrea Bargnani, Andrew Bogut, and Yao Ming. France also became the first foreign nation to have at least three native players selected in the top ten of a single NBA draft, with Alex Sarr and Tidjane Salaün joining him.
Risacher signed his rookie contract with the Hawks on 6 July 2024 and made his NBA Summer League debut six days later, posting 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists in a 94–88 loss to the Washington Wizards. His regular-season debut came on 23 October 2024, finishing with seven points and one rebound in 19 minutes during a 120–116 win over the Brooklyn Nets. He set a career high of 33 points on 6 November 2024 in a 121–115 win over the New York Knicks, then pushed it to 36 points on 30 March 2025 in a 145–124 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming only the fourth number-one pick to record 35-plus points with five or more three-pointers as a rookie, joining Allen Iverson, LeBron James, and Anthony Edwards. He closed his debut year with a new career high of 38 points on 10 April 2025 in a 133–109 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Driving Style and Strengths
At small forward, Risacher is regarded as a very efficient catch-and-shoot player, equally dangerous coming off screens or knocking down mid-range jumpers. His versatility on defense allows him to cover both guards and forwards on the perimeter, giving coaches flexibility in matchups. The combination of size, shooting touch, and defensive discipline defines his profile as a modern wing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Risacher’s rise includes winning the 2022 LNB Élite championship with ASVEL, lifting the 2023 Leaders Cup, and reaching the 2023–24 EuroCup Finals with JL Bourg. Becoming the second overall pick from France in consecutive NBA drafts cemented his place in league history.
Zaccharie Risacher Career Wins
Across club and youth international competition, Risacher has collected multiple trophies in just a few seasons, including a top-tier French league title, a Leaders Cup, and a EuroCup Finals appearance. His collection of individual awards reflects his standing among the top young players in European basketball.
LNB Élite Highlights
Risacher was part of the LDLC ASVEL squad that won the 2022 LNB Élite championship and the 2023 Leaders Cup. He was selected to the 2023 LNB All-Star Game and was later named the Best Young Player of the 2023–24 LNB Élite season while on loan at JL Bourg.
Other Wins & Performances
On the European stage, Risacher helped JL Bourg reach the 2023–24 EuroCup Finals and was voted the competition’s Rising Star. Internationally, he earned a bronze medal with France at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup and represented his country at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit.
Zaccharie Risacher Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Risacher’s father, Stéphane Risacher, played professional basketball and was a member of the France national team that won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Through his father, Zaccharie is of Martiniquais descent, and the family’s deep connection to the sport shaped his early years in both Spain and France.
Personal Life
Risacher’s younger sister, Aïnhoa Risacher, is also a professional basketball player, currently competing for LDLC ASVEL Féminin in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball. The siblings represent a new generation of a basketball family rooted in both French and broader European basketball traditions.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season served as Risacher’s rookie campaign with the Atlanta Hawks, and he delivered several headline performances. After a measured start that included a seven-point debut against Brooklyn, he grew into a reliable scoring option, highlighted by a 33-point game against the New York Knicks in November and a 36-point outburst against the Milwaukee Bucks in late March.
On the international stage, Risacher debuted with the France senior team on 23 February 2024 against Croatia before a concussion ended his appearance after four minutes. He returned to feature in EuroBasket 2025 qualifying games and made the final roster for EuroBasket 2025, where he averaged 9.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
He capped his rookie regular season with a 38-point effort against the Brooklyn Nets on 10 April 2025 and was subsequently named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. As he transitions into his second NBA season, Risacher’s blend of size, shooting, and defensive versatility continues to position him as a cornerstone of Atlanta’s young core and a key figure in France’s next generation of international stars.