Meet Zaccharie Risacher, 6ft 10ins French teen set to be NBA Draft top pick

THE NBA’s projected No.1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher, says it will be a dream to play in what he calls the best league in the world.

Risacher is set to follow in the footsteps of his countryman Victor Wembanyama, who was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in last year’s NBA Draft.

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The impressive 19-year-old small forward is averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23 minutes per game with his French team JL Bourg this season.

And big things are expected of him when he makes the leap into the big time in the United States later this year.

“It’s always been my dream to get to the best league in the world,” Risacher said.

“I’ve been putting the work in for this since I was a kid.

“JL Bourg has given me an incredible opportunity to showcase what I can do. It’s been the perfect place to start my young career.

“I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to play for this organization.”

“I’m proud of being part of this journey with my teammates and what we accomplished in the EuroCup.

“We definitely want to do something special the rest of the season. It’s been a long season and a long process with a lot of ups and downs.”

Risacher, who is six foot, 10 inches tall, is the son of former Olympian and EuroLeague player Stephane Risacher.

Stephane was part of the French team that won silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

His son has represented France at the FIBA level at the under-16, U17 and U19 levels and made his senior national team debut in February.

Risacher says he’s feeling strong heading into the climax of this season.

“I’m feeling good physically,” he told ESPN.

“I always make sure my body feels right for playing games at the highest level.

I’ve been putting the work in for this since I was a kid.

Zaccharie Risacher

“There were some moments in the season where I felt a little more tired due to the number of games, which sometimes include two or three per week, with difficult travel.

“And that doesn’t include the additional development work I’m doing at the same time.

“That is complicated for a young body. But that’s never been an excuse. It’s just a long season.”

If Risacher fares anywhere near as well as Wembanyama, he’ll be doing a good job.

Wembanyama, 20, was brilliant for the Spurs throughout the 2023-24 regular season.

He has just been named as a finalist for Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.