NBA – Risacher: “There is no comparison that can be made with Wembanyama”

Zacharie Risacher, what is your state of mind before starting the season?

Zacharie Risacher. : I’m super excited, enthusiastic. I can’t wait to start the adventure, it’s a childhood dream come true. I am even more excited and determined to contribute my part, my game and the person I am within the group. I’m happy to be able to help win matches. That’s really the goal, I hope I’ll stick to it and that we’ll move forward together.

What can you bring to the Hawks?

ZR: I’m a pretty versatile player. My strong point is being able to help do several things on the field, especially defensively. I can defend several positions. On offense, I have a card to play on the 3-point shot, it’s the area where I feel the most comfortable. That’s what we need here and what I’m being allowed to do. But it can be different things like grabbing the rebounds, the counter-attack, finishing strong in the circle, alternating between the cutting game, the game without the ball, whatever we need depending on the flow of the match and the systems in place.

Do you feel like you have a special status after being No.1 in the draft?

ZR: I am very grateful to have fallen into this franchise. I feel the same state of mind as mine, in the sense that from the beginning, even before the draft, I always focused on what mattered most, that is to say the daily work to make his team win. This is what they expect from me more than anything else. I really feel support, that they don’t expect me to immediately be the head of the franchise. I see that there are ambitions around me and the team. I am very lucky to fall into this franchise with which I can work very seriously on a daily basis, with which I know that I can develop.

Is the comparison with Victor Wembanyama, also drafted in first position in 2023, heavy for you?

ZR: For me, there is no comparison that can be made with Victor. He’s a unique player, I just admire what he does. We come from the same country, we did the same things a generation apart (Wembanyama is a year older than him) in Betclic Elite or in the draft, it’s just incredible to have someone like him whose I can get inspiration. We didn’t necessarily talk about it, I don’t know him very well, but he was kind enough to send me a message to congratulate me.

Are you thinking of the France team?

ZR: The French team… it would be a dream to be able to represent my country at the highest level. I had the experience of being able to do it in February for the first time (in qualifying for Euro 2025), it was a special feeling. I am used to the French youth teams. I know a little bit about what to expect, and I’m super happy to be able to claim this title. Knowing myself, I have always done my best to achieve my dreams and my objectives, the French team is one of them, it is necessarily in the back of my mind. I’m thinking about Euro 2025 of course, it’s in the back of my mind.