Zaccharie Risacher may not be lighting up the box score like your typical No. 1 overall pick, but don’t let the numbers fool you-this kid is already making a real impact in Atlanta. From the moment he stepped on the floor in his rookie season, Risacher carved out a role not with volume, but with efficiency, versatility, and a maturity to his game that’s rare for a 19-year-old.
He wasn’t the focal point of the offense, and that was by design. Risacher thrived as a low-usage, high-impact wing-knocking down shots at a strong clip, defending multiple positions, and playing within the flow of the game.
His rookie stat line-12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists on 45.8% shooting from the field and 35.5% from deep-might not scream “top pick,” but the impact was undeniable. He gave the Hawks quality minutes and helped tilt games in their favor without needing the ball in his hands constantly.
What really separated Risacher from his rookie peers was his efficiency. In a class filled with high-usage scorers, he was the guy who made every possession count.
That kind of shotmaking at his age is rare, and it made a strong case for Rookie of the Year consideration. The award ultimately went to Stephon Castle, whose numbers were flashier on a team with far less at stake, but there’s a strong argument that Risacher’s contributions carried more weight in competitive games.
Heading into his sophomore season, expectations were high-and understandably so. General Manager Onsi Saleh had retooled the roster in a way Atlanta fans hadn’t seen in years, surrounding the core with shooters and playmakers to complement the young forward’s strengths. Risacher, with his blend of catch-and-shoot ability and perimeter defense, looked like the perfect glue guy for a team with playoff aspirations.
But the second year hasn’t started the way many hoped. Through 19 games, Risacher’s scoring is down slightly to 11.4 points per game, and his three-point shooting has dipped to 30.8%. His overall field goal percentage is still respectable at 45.3%, but the outside shot-the one that made him such a threat last season-hasn’t been falling with the same consistency.
A big reason for that? The absence of Trae Young.
Last year, Risacher benefited tremendously from playing alongside one of the league’s premier playmakers. Young’s ability to collapse defenses and create open looks made life easier for everyone, especially a rookie still finding his rhythm. Without Young orchestrating the offense early this season, Risacher has had to generate more of his own opportunities-and that adjustment has come with some growing pains.
Still, what makes Risacher special isn’t just what shows up in the box score. Even with the shooting slump, he’s finding ways to affect the game.
His defensive versatility continues to be a weapon for head coach Quin Snyder. Risacher can switch across multiple positions, defend on the perimeter, and hold his own in the paint.
He’s also a threat in transition, where his length and fluidity give him an edge on both ends.
That’s why, even with the offensive struggles, Snyder continues to trust him in crunch time. In late-game situations, Risacher is still on the floor-not because of what he might do, but because of what he already brings: smart positioning, active hands, and a willingness to do the dirty work.
Risacher’s game is still evolving, and that’s exactly what you want to see in a second-year player. The shooting will likely rebound once Young returns and the offense settles back into a rhythm. In the meantime, the Hawks are learning just how valuable Risacher can be even when he’s not scoring at a high clip.
He’s not the kind of top pick who needs to dominate the ball to make his presence felt. Instead, he’s becoming the type of player every winning team needs-a connector, a defender, a guy who makes the right play more often than not. Atlanta may have found a cornerstone, not in the traditional superstar mold, but in the form of a player who elevates everyone around him.
And that’s the kind of impact that doesn’t always show up in the headlines-but wins games.