Former No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft Zaccharie Risacher reacted after being benched by the Atlanta Hawks.
Risacher was taken first overall in the 2024 NBA draft, but he has been given the label of draft bust by some fans and pundits after a poor sophomore season. In his first season with the Hawks, Risacher finished second in Rookie of the Year voting to Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs after averaging 12.6 points per game in 75 games. But he took a huge step backwards this year, averaging just 9.6 points per game in 67 games played, while drawing the ire of Hawks head coach Quin Snyder at times, including a DNP-CD (Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision) near the end of the regular season.
In Game 1 of the Hawks’ playoff game against the New York Knicks, a 113-102 loss, Risacher played just 2 minutes, contributing 0 points and 4 rebounds while missing all 3 of his field-goal attempts. The poor performance led to Snyder once again benching Risacher, giving him a DNP-CD in Game 2 of the playoffs, which the Hawks won 107-106. Based on the Hawks winning Game 2 and Risacher not playing, there is a good chance he once again rides the pine in Game 3.
Speaking to BeBasket in a recent interview, Risacher reacted to his dwindling playing time in the playoffs.
“That’s what I was saying, it’s part of the challenge at the highest level. You can’t let yourself get down by things you can’t control. Of course, you can imagine it’s not an easy situation to manage. But here I am, still here, even more motivated, I’d say. I have to try and turn this to my advantage. Obviously, it’s tough, let’s not kid ourselves. But I’m trying to make it a strength,” Risacher said.
Zaccharie Risacher is Staying Prepared to Play
Despite playing just 2 minutes in Game 1 and not playing at all in Game 2, Risacher said he is still getting prepared to answer the call if coach Snyder calls upon him to enter the game.
“The goal is to stay prepared no matter what. Since the beginning of the year, that’s what I’ve been trying to do. I try not to overthink things, because otherwise I simply won’t be able to cope. It’s part of the job to be professional and able to meet demands at any time, in any situation, and to do the best you can,” Rissacher said.
The Atlanta Hawks May Trade Risacher This Offseason
The Hawks may look to move off of Risacher this offseason. While they would be selling low on the former No. 1 overall pick, it may be the best situation for everyone involved if the Hawks find a new home for him. Before the start of this season, the Hawks picked up their third-year contract option on Risacher for $13.83 million. The team will have to decide by October if it will pick up his fourth-year contract option for $17,434,637, but based on his poor play this year, the Hawks may elect to decline it. That being said, another NBA franchise may still see potential in Risacher and try to work out a buy-low trade with the Hawks to pick him up for cheap this offseason.
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