Zaccharie Risacher

Zaccharie Risacher's Biography

Born on April 8, 2005, in Málaga, Spain, Zaccharie Risacher is a French professional basketball player known for his remarkable skills on the court. As of today, he represents the Atlanta Hawks in the prestigious National Basketball Association (NBA). Risacher entered the world of professional basketball on a high note, being the first overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2024 NBA draft.

Risacher’s early life was largely influenced by the sporting prowess of his father, Stéphane Risacher. Stéphane was a professional basketball player who represented Baloncesto Málaga from 2002 to 2006. The family’s stay in Spain was fleeting, soon settling back in Lyon, France. It was here that young Zaccharie’s interest in basketball was kindled. Barely four years old, he started his basketball journey at Élan Chalon before further honing his skills at the youth club Tassin, located in the suburbs of Lyon.

In August 2020, Risacher’s talents were recognized by the youth program of the renowned ASVEL Basket. He played for the club’s youth team in the LNB Espoirs, which is the French under-21 league. The following year, Risacher debuted with the senior team of ASVEL in a landmark LNB Élite match against Metropolitans 92. He made his EuroLeague debut later in the 2022 season in a match against Monaco. His performance in the LNB Espoirs competition was extraordinary, averaging 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Career advancement arrived swiftly for Risacher, who signed his first professional contract with ASVEL on June 16, 2023. Sent out on a season-long loan to the first-tier club JL Bourg, Risacher shone in the 2023-24 EuroCup where his team made it to the Finals. Despite a deflating loss to the Paris Basketball team, Risacher was awarded the EuroCup Rising Star prize. At just 18 years old, he was the second-youngest player ever to bag this accolade.

Further recognition followed when Risacher was named the Best Young Player of the 2023–24 LNB Élite season. This honor came in response to his superb average of 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. The NBA draft of 2024 opened new frontiers for Risacher, who was the first pick by the Atlanta Hawks. As the second consecutive French player to be drafted as the number one pick, he followed Victor Wembanyama, who was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs in the previous year’s draft. The Hawks’ choice of Risacher underlined the flourishing French presence at the NBA event, culminating in a historic moment where three French players were chosen among the top 10 picks in a single NBA draft.

In July 2024, Risacher signed with the Atlanta Hawks, marking his official entry into the NBA. He made his NBA Summer League debut the following week against the Washington Wizards. His official NBA debut took place in October, contributing to a 120-116 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

International recognition beckoned when Risacher was selected to represent France at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup. He followed this by playing for the senior team in their EuroBasket 2025 qualifying games. Known for his exceptional catch-and-shoot skills and versatility, Risacher has been praised for his ability to mark both guards and forwards on the perimeter.

Risacher’s connection to basketball is further deepened by his lineage; his father, Stéphane Risacher, enjoyed a successful professional career, winning a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with the France national team, undoubtedly inspiring his son’s rise in the sport.