Zaccharie Risacher Will be a Top Pick | 2024 NBA Draft

In this edition of the Heat Check NBA Draft series, Draft Digest writer Derek Parker breaks down French wing Zaccharie Risacher, who could be in the mix at No. 1 on draft day.
Contents of this video:
0:00 - Zaccharie Risacher Breakdown
0:48 - Heat Check Explanation
1:21 - Athleticism
2:04 - Scoring
4:05 - Defense
5:19 - Passing/Playmaking
6:25 - Overall Feel
7:11 - Creation
8:16 - The Grade

[@jonsin7697]

*Hot Take* : This is the best Defensive draft class in nba history. Most of these players in this class will be very good defensive players in the nba. You wont find many offensive stars in this class, but there are many who can become defensive stars once they get a little experience.

[@michaelahurt]

This is a pretty astute observation. I'll take last year's class but this one is close. But there is no Wemby -- who will probably go down as the best defender ever -- or Ausar in this class. Those guys are the best defensive prospects at center and wing I've ever seen. Plus Lively, Jarace Walker, Hendricks, Coulibaly, Cason Wallace, Amen, Anthony Black and the later picks like O-Max, Jordan Walsh, A-Jax, Camara and Leonard Miller. But you're 100% that this draft is loaded with awesome defenders.

[@andrewharper8541]

Seriously quality content! You make some of the absolute best NBA draft videos on KZbin, keep up the great work! I’d love to see a video on Tidjane Salaun if that’s not already in the works - he seems a similar player to Risacher and I’d like to see why Risacher is being mocked so much higher. Thanks man, keep it up!

[@dukeonwheels]

The Hawks don’t need him to be a creator-they already have two assuming they keep both Trae and Murray. The things he does well are things the Hawks need-an athletic big wing that can defend well, shoot the ball well, and is a good passer and cutter. Risacher would slot right in without a pressing need to develop his game right away.

[@colin1818]

I think you nailed the final assessment on Risacher. He's a good prospect. But taking him 1 or 2 overall is a reach, even in this draft. He's just too limited and his ceiling too low.

[@antichaos]

The biggest problem with this draft is that the guys with the highest ceilings (Topic, Buzelis, Dillingham, Holland, Clingan to an extent) are all huge question marks while the surefire guys like Risacher, Castle and Williams seem as though they only have the ceiling of a quality starter

[@colin1818]

@@antichaos Of course. There's no sure fire stars in this draft. Hence it's "weak". I think you're underselling Castle though. His ceiling is a lot higher than Risacher. If he gets his shooting together he's a potential all-star.

[@devidkhan3499]

@@antichaos cody williams is by no means a surefire guy. hes arguably the biggest project consistently slated to go in the lottery

[@michaelahurt]

His ceiling is pretty high honestly. It's not too much of stretch for him to look like Jayson Tatum in 7 years. Similar build and athleticism, similar playmaking at this age. Can obviously shoot. The one big difference is Tatum was much better shot creator but he doesn't even access that part of his game much anymore and has become a straight line driver. Even the ball handling, Tatum was "good" ball handler standing still, but couldn't actually go anywhere with his dribble until he was like 23. But the problem for all these prospects is they are either very raw, physically capped, or both. The only two guys near the lottery who are safe are Sheppard, who will almost 100% be a very good starter -- absolute worst case scenario Grayson Allen with positive defense -- and Clingan, who is a Walker Kessler at worst. But neither of them have the physical traits to be more than top 40-ish players. Guys like Risacher, Castle, Buzelis, Topic and Williams don't need outlier development, but they all need _multiple_ things to go right to be All-Stars.

[@SAINTxSZN]

just give him 5 flames for overall feel, its always satisfying to see the blue flames :(

[@WHITEPERSUAS1ON]

Reminds me of a mix of Dyson Daniels and Jabari Smith Jr.

[@evandavis15]

that's an interesting player

[@EversGreen-fy4vs]

Isnt 1 a pg and 1 a pf? 🤨 Ur killing me petey.

[@tans1151]

Loving the content but just some feedback on the audio. Get a pop-filter. The pop whenever you pronounce P’s is really glaring

[@derek-parker]

Appreciate that feedback! Will def look into it

[@rc9361]

I don't see how risacher is considered a top 2 pick when he doesn't have one skill that sets him apart.

[@user-mg8zh4cg3o]

I agree. Alex Sarr is way better!

[@SAINTxSZN]

He could develop similar to Tatum. Just need good coaches to develop him

[@yerrrrrrrr4567]

@@SAINTxSZNtatum was an entirely different player. tatum was a midrange shot creator with some ability on defense. risacher is a 3pt shooter on the wing with little creation ability

[@Destin311]

His one skill is elite shooting especially off movement.

[@dukeonwheels]

Risacher is a 40% three point shooter and a solid on-ball defender. He’s also really good at cutting to the rim. Sarr is the one that doesn’t have any skill, at least offensively, that defines his game. Sarr is a tall, athletic prospect. That’s really about it. You draft Sarr for the upside, not current skills. Risacher probably has the highest floor of any prospect in this draft (already playing professionally in Europe which has similar rules to the NBA), and also presents upside as he only just turned 19.

[@thomasdantas]

I see Risarcher and Cody Williams projecting to fit similar roles in their careers. Do you agree? What comments would you have on their respective upsides?

[@adam711s]

Risarcher is likely going to be a spot up 3 and D role. Cody Williams has more on ball potential with slashing and creating for others. Both need to get stronger, but I like them as prospects.

[@geert574]

You'll see a lot of this class... getting posterized

[@sarahmccoy1941]

This is just the person the San Antonio Spurs need to continue their rebuild around Victor Wembanyama.

[@bballer191]

Meh not super impressed with this kid honestly. He's going to be a role player at the next level, nothing more. He's not a playmaker at all. Not a whole lot of upside there. Plus, taking a 3-and-D wing in the top-3 just seems nuts to me. That's the easiest archetype to find in the NBA. And he's an average athlete by NBA standards to boot. He may very well have a solid career, but I'm not taking him in the top-3 personally. I'm taking someone with more upside or at the very least someone who can anchor my defense for the next decade.

[@michaelahurt]

6'5" 3-and-D wings are easy to find There are _never_ enough 6'8" 3-and-D who are _actually_ good at both defense and shooting

[@space6595]

risacher is NOT a plus athlete. Tested really poorly at the combine. All those dunks you're highlighting are extremely basic for a 6'9 wing. 3/5 at best and arguably 2/5.

[@lawrencecooper1375]

Athleticism "jumps out"... "Great hang time" "lob threat"... What are you watching? For a 6'9 NBA player, those traits are lacking severely. I didn't see any video evidence of that and he barely gets above the rim when finishing.

[@user-mg8zh4cg3o]

Alex Sarr is so much better that this weak wing player. Hawks are not going to listen to this crap and take the wrong player. They will draft Alex Sarr and finally get a draft pick correct.