TL;DR
Zaccharie Risacher, the Atlanta Hawks' No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is facing criticism on social media after being compared to Bronny James, who was selected 55th. This comparison highlights the struggles Risacher is experiencing this April.
Atlanta Hawks have a Zaccharie Risacher problem originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Zaccharie Risacher is getting clowned on social media.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks was recently compared to Bronny James, who was the 55th pick in that draft.
Bronny is having a brighter month of April than Risacher:
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While that's one cherry-picked piece of evidence, it points to a larger problem:
Risacher hasn't come close to the expectations that are placed on a first overall pick.
Yes, everyone knew the draft class he was a part of seemed weaker than usual at the top. No one was proclaiming that he'd be a superstar.
But he has fallen so far that earlier this month, he didn't play at all just due to coach's decision.
His scoring (9.6 PPG) is down from his rookie season, and he's shot worse from the floor and from the foul line.
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Still just 21, Risacher has lots of time to grow. He shoots it pretty well from deep, and he moves well off the ball. His length has the potential to impact games, too.
But you'd think the Hawks' surge this season would've been because their former No. 1 pick found another level.
Instead, they've done it pretty much without him.
That's not the kind of outcome you're hoping for, no matter the draft class, with the guy who is chosen before everyone else.
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