Despite a disappointing first season in NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, in the United States, the Martinican winger is about to participate in his first international competition with the blue jersey. We met him.
Among the risacher, basketball is a family story. The father, Stéphane, was silver medalist with the French team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The daughter Aïnhoa has just signed his first professional contract in one of the best teams in France, ASVEL. And the son, Zaccharie, 20, started his sports career in a rush.
After his beginnings in the Asvel men’s team in Lyon, a club chaired by Tony Parker, and a visit to Bourg-en-Bresse, he was chosen in first position by the Hawks of Atlanta during the 2024 draft. A big jump on American prosecution. Even if the season has not proven to be as flourishing as expected.
After the United States, the Martinican was able to focus fully on his new challenge: the French basketball team. Selected by Frédéric Fauxoux for the Eurobasket, he is about to compete in his first major international competition with the blue jersey. The Blues competition will start on August 28 with a match against Belgium. Interview.
Overseas the 1st: you have just completed your first year in the NBA, the famous American basketball league. How do you feel?
Zaccharie Risacher : I feel super well. It was a rich year, whether it was “basket” speaking or outside the field. It was an experience that made me grow a lot. I am very happy to be able to aspire to come back next year.
You started basketball with your father. Did you often go to see him play?
All the time. I have memories to have gone to his training, to his games … even before I could walk, I was going to see him play. I remember having grown in the basketball rooms, watching my father play. When he retired, I continued to make my own way.
Precisely, you started with Asvel, in Lyon. How did this start of a career go?
My visit to ASVEL is one of my best years as a high -level sportsman. It helped me a lot to achieve my goal, which was to play professional, to have a role in a team that was competitive, and to be able to be drafted [le processus d’intégration dans la NBA, NDLR]. It contributed a lot to my success.
You were selected to participate in the NBA in 2024. How was your first season with the Atlanta Hawks (Georgia)?
Our season was marked by many injuries. Despite everything, I think we had arms to qualify for the play-offs [la deuxième partie de la saison sportive, NDLR]. But it was a big disappointment. It did not finish on a very good note. But on the other hand, when you look at the whole season, whether individually or collectively, it is still very encouraging for the future.
Was it complicated to adapt to this new American pace?
It took a time of adaptation. Once I found my rhythm, it was better and better. Quite quickly in the season, I told myself that I had the ability to be able to impact, to be able to help my team win. I quickly told myself that I was able to do beautiful things in this league. In the end, this first season is only the beginning of what will happen.
This year, you also experienced your first selections with the French senior team. How did you experience it?
It was only happiness. I was very happy to be able to integrate this extended group from the French team. After my NBA season, I had a long time when I was able to do what I wanted. I took the opportunity to recharge my batteries, to work. I made it possible to arrive as ready as possible. The French team, it really animated me during this time when I did not play. Now that I am there, it’s a lot of fun.
Is the French team ready for the European championship, which begins on August 27?
We still have preparation time. We see that match after match, day after day, we are progressing. This is the strength of this group. We do not stop progressing, we do not stop challenging. It also shows on friendly matches, where we respond to big nations [la France s’est imposée face à l’Espagne, championne d’Europe en titre, le 16 août, NDLR].
In general, French basketball is doing well. How do you see the future?
I am very excited for the years to come. We have very big talents, very big players who are starting to win in the France team. I am very happy to be able to be part of this new group that is coming. Also with the frames that are still there. We really have a good state of mind.
