There will be better days ahead for Zaccharie Risacher. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NBA draft was just 2-for-8 from the field in his debut, although his Atlanta Hawks earned a 120-116 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
"I'm only 19, so this is a big adjustment for me," Risacher said, per Paul Newberry of the Associated Press. "I'll be better and better and better." It started off in perfect fashion, as he drained a three-pointer on the first shot attempt of his career.
However, he ended up with just seven points, one rebound and zero assists in 19 minutes off the bench. He was also just 1-of-4 from three-point range and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line with one turnover, so efficiency will be a potential area of improvement as he becomes more experienced. At least Risacher didn't have to wait for his first career win, as Trae Young poured in 30 points while Onyeka Okongwu added 28 points off the bench.
The duo was enough to survive 36 points from Cam Thomas for a Nets squad that doesn't have much star power this season. Young figures to spearhead the offensive attack for the Hawks in the majority of games, but Risacher can be an important secondary option if he does get "better and better" and starts to fully live up to his potential..