When the Atlanta Hawks landed the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, they could\u2019ve went in several directions.<\/p>\n
At the time, they were still deciding<\/a> between Trae Young<\/a> and Dejounte Murray<\/a>. No matter who they stuck with, they could\u2019ve put together a trade package for a sidekick<\/a>. Blockbuster trades don\u2019t just grow on trees. Still, there was a lot of movement among the stars at the start of the summer solstice.<\/p>\n If the Hawks kept the pick, former Perth center Alex Sarr<\/a> was largely considered the top international prospect<\/a> in the draft. Prior to the 2023-24 season, former G League Ignite forwards Ron Holland<\/a> and Matas Buzelis<\/a> had been considered as potential No. 1 picks. During the 2023-24 season, former Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard<\/a> was making a case as the best player in college basketball.<\/p>\n Instead, Atlanta drafted former JL Bourg forward Zaccharie Risacher<\/a>, who had long intrigued scouts with his combination of length and guard skills. Fast forward to a few months later, and Risacher doesn\u2019t look much like what a No. 1 pick should.<\/p>\n \u201cBack in France I was super athletic, and now I\u2019m just a regular dude<\/a>,\u201d Risacher says, per The Athletic\u2019s John Hollinger.<\/p>\n Risacher has performed admirably since being drafted and the organization has probably taken to him as a person more than a player at this point. By all accounts, he\u2019s a hard worker and coachable, traits that aren\u2019t always present in top picks. Because of his work ethic and willingness to learn, the Hawks are confident that he can be successful.<\/p>\n During the preseason, Risacher had his best post-draft stretch<\/a>.<\/p>\nHawks Draft Pick Zaccharie Risacher Makes Concerning Comment About NBA Jump<\/h2>\n