Pierre Haessig / Kevin Ferreira (DR)
By Guillaume K. | Sports journalist
After a start to the season marked by a lack of skill and confidence, Zaccharie Risacher shone against the Knicks with a unique performance in history. After the meeting, Clint Capela even said a few words of French to congratulate him.
This Wednesday, the NBA released its first ranking of rookies, and it is clear that Zaccharie Risacher was not really in the spotlight with a 6th place. If he took advantage of the numerous absences in the Hawks squad to make a series of starts at the start of the season, he had difficulty regaining the skill and confidence which made him the 1st pick of the last Draft.
But proof that he does not lack character, a few hours after this affront, he perhaps had the best match of his entire career, especially against rival New York. With 33 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks, “Zacch” achieved a unique performance in history of the league!
Clint Capela honest on Risacher’s ethics
At a press conference, all his partners wanted to pay tribute to him, from Trae Young to Jalen Johnson, including his trainer Quin Snyder. But it is undoubtedly Clint Capela who takes the prize for originality, since he placed a word of French in front of the Atlanta journalists, before revealing Risacher’s crazy routine in training.
As they say in France, it was “magnificent”. It was an incredible performance. Like I told him, my career high in points has to be 31. He managed to beat me in just a few games, it’s crazy. I told him to enjoy the moment, but that he will have plenty of other encounters like this in the future. He must learn to love all this work.
Every morning, while training starts at 10 a.m., he arrives at 8 to have breakfast, to go to the gym. He works a lot on an individual level, and when training starts he is already sweating. I love seeing a guy like him rewarded, because he works so hard. I know that with this ethic he has a bright future.
Zaccharie Risacher didn’t necessarily shine at the start of the season, but that’s not for lack of work. The young Frenchman arrives among the first at training every morning, and he continues individual sessions to progress. This explains the joy of all his teammates after his card, he is simply very deserving.
Zacharie Risacher has finally launched his NBA career with this big card against the Knicks. Not all matches will be of this quality, but it’s a performance that will allow him to earn the respect of opponents and fans.
