No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher drains first shot in Hawks debut

ATLANTA — For Zaccharie Risacher, it was the right begin to an NBA profession of such promise.

A large-open look from outdoors the 3-point stripe.

Nothing however web.

However the French teenager shortly discovered what a steep studying curve he faces in his rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks.

Risacher, the league’s No. 1 draft choose, missed his subsequent six photographs and completed the night time with seven factors on 2-of-8 taking pictures.

Nonetheless, he was all smiles after the Hawks held on in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets for a 120-116 victory within the season opener Wednesday.

“It was wonderful,” Risacher mentioned. “That is a dream come true. I actually loved it. I am glad we received — and on to the subsequent one. I can not wait to play one other sport in two days. That is going to be enjoyable. Simply attempt to hold profitable, you recognize.”

The slender, 19-year-old ahead made his debut with 3:43 left within the first quarter, drawing an enormous cheer from the sellout crowd at State Farm Enviornment. Whereas the Hawks are in a little bit of a rebuilding mode, they’re relying on Risacher to assist take the franchise to heights it has hardly ever skilled in Atlanta.

“It was undoubtedly a particular second,” he mentioned. “I am tremendous pleased to be right here, and I can really feel round me the enjoyment and good vibes. I am tremendous grateful to be part of this group, this metropolis.”

The cheers grew even louder when Risacher knocked down a 3 with the primary shot of his profession.

“That was like the right scenario,” he mentioned. “I used to be open on the transition go, and yeah, it was wonderful. The proper, excellent technique to get my first bucket.”

From there, it was removed from perfection.

Of his six misses, three have been from past the arc. He turned the ball over when his foot nicked the sideline as he tried to launch one other shot from lengthy vary. His solely different basket got here with just below 10 minutes left within the sport — a thunderous dunk off a bounce go from Hawks star guard Trae Younger.

“I wasn’t as environment friendly as I am used to being, in order that was somewhat bit disappointing to me,” Risacher mentioned. “However it’s a part of the sport.”

He is aware of it will take some time to get absolutely comfy taking part in at such a better stage than he was accustomed to in France.

“I am solely 19, so this can be a huge adjustment for me,” Risacher mentioned. “I will be higher and higher and higher.”

The numbers may not have been a lot to crow about, however Hawks coach Quin Snyder was happy with what he acquired out of his prized rookie in 19 minutes of taking part in time.

“I believed he did a very good job,” Snyder mentioned. “The purpose of emphasis is you are not going to make photographs each night time. How do you impression the sport different methods, whether or not it is a go or a lower defensively?”

Regardless that the photographs weren’t falling, Snyder was pleased that Risacher had the boldness to maintain firing away.

“You do not cease taking pictures,” the coach mentioned, “as a result of he is a very good shooter.”