Former No. 1 Overall Pick Reveals Harsh Reality of the NBA
Transitioning to the NBA from college, the G League or overseas basketball can be challenging for many players. Not everyone can achieve the same success as LeBron James, who scored 25 points, grabbed six rebounds and recorded nine assists in his first career game at 18 years old.
So far in the 2024 season, this past draft's No. 1 overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, has felt the change in just four games. He is averaging 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and one assist, shooting 30.3% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range.
Risacher recently alluded to the harsh reality check that the NBA has provided early on.
"Back in France, I was super athletic, and now I'm just a regular dude," Risacher said to John Hollinger of "The Athletic."
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reach for a loose ball.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward caught the attention of scouts due to his impressive combination of size, length, and shooting ability.
In the LNB Elite league in France, he averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, shooting 43.9% from the field and 35.2% from three-point range, all while playing just 22 minutes per game.
Although that performance hasn't transferred to the NBA immediately, Risacher is only 19 years old, and he, along with the Hawks, hopes for a long career ahead.
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