With the 2024 NBA Draft upon us, French prospect Zaccharie Risacher’s name is one to know.
Risacher is one of a group of prospects in contention to hear their name called first when the draft gets underway. A closer look at his profile gives a greater understanding of why he is a prospect worth using the top pick to select.
After one season with JL Bourg of France’s LNB Pro A, Risacher is primed to make the NBA leap. One year ago, Victor Wembanyama left France’s top domestic league to hear his name called first overall in the NBA Draft. Will history repeat itself in 2024?
Learn more about Risacher’s background, path to the league and NBA prospects.
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Risacher is a 19-year-old French basketball player. He is a top prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The son of French former professional player Stephane Risacher, Zaccharie Risacher was born in Malaga, Spain but grew up in Lyon, France. Risacher joined ASVEL’s youth program at 15 and debuted with the senior team one year later at 16.
Risacher signed his first professional contract with ASVEL at 18 but was loaned to JL Bourg for the 2023-24 season. Over 32 games, Risacher averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from 3-point range.
While his season was complete with highs and lows, one of Risacher’s best games came early in the season, as he scored a career-best 24 points (on 9-of-13 shooting) in a win over Nanterre 92.
Here are some of his highlights from the 2023-24 campaign:
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Risacher made his LNB Pro A debut at 16 years old, seeing limited action in two games with ASVEL. His role grew as a 17-year-old, setting him up for a breakout age-18 season while on loan to France’s JL Bourg.
The following stats are via ProBallers.
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
| Team | ASVEL | ASVEL | JL Bourg |
| Age | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| Games | 2 | 16 | 32 |
| MPG | 2.5 | 12.9 | 22.0 |
| PPG | 2.0 | 2.6 | 10.1 |
| RPG | 1.0 | 1.3 | 3.8 |
| APG | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| FG% | 66.7 | 33.3 | 43.9 |
| 3P% | 0.0 | 29.3 | 35.2 |
| FT% | — | 57.1 | 74.0 |
Risacher’s 2023-24 averages may not immediately jump off the page, but he earned an All-Star selection and won the LNB Pro A Best Young Player award, joining a host of NBA players to earn the honor.
| Year | Name | Team |
| 2018-19 | Théo Maledon | ASVEL |
| 2019-20 | — | |
| 2020-21 | Victor Wembanyama | Nanterre 92 |
| 2021-22 | Victor Wembanyama | ASVEL |
| 2022-23 | Victor Wembanyama | Metropolitans 92 |
| 2023-24 | Zaccharie Risacher | JL Bourg |
MORE: Meet Alex Sarr, France’s other top 2024 NBA Draft prospect
Mock Draft projection: No. 1 to Hawks
The Sporting News’ Kyle Irving has Risacher overtaking fellow Frenchman Alexandre Sarr as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024.
Here’s more from Irving on Risacher’s potential with Atlanta:
Risacher overtakes Sarr for the No. 1 overall pick after reports surfaced that the Hawks have not gotten Sarr in for a pre-draft workout. ESPN says UConn center Donovan Clingan is also in the running for the top selection, but Risacher feels like a higher upside swing.
Risacher was streaky from beyond the arc for JL Bourg but still shot a respectable 35.2 percent from 3 in 32 LNB Pro A games. Averaging 10.1 points as a teenager in one of the best leagues in the world is still no easy feat.
