Hawks exercise option on No. 1 overall pick
INDIANAPOLIS — The Hawks announced Thursday that they exercised the third-year contract option for forward Zaccharie Risacher.
The 20-year-old had a strong rookie campaign that included an All-Rookie First Team selection. He became 10th player in franchise history to earn a spot on the All-Rookie First Team.
Last season, Risacher posted four games with 30 or more points, the most 30-point games by any rookie during the 2024-25 campaign. Three of Risacher’s four 30-point performances came against top-five teams in the East: No. 1 Cleveland (30 points, Jan. 30), No. 3 New York (33 points, Nov. 6), No. 5 Milwaukee (36 points, March 30).
He also is the only teenager in NBA history with multiple 30-point, zero-turnover games.
In 75 games (73 starts), Risacher averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 24.6 minutes of action on 45.8% overall shooting and 35.5% shooting from deep.
He ranked top five among all rookies last season in total points, made field goals, three-pointers and free throws.
Risacher was also a two-time Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (February and March), the only rookie in 2024-25 to win the award in back-to-back months.
Risacher returned to the Hawks starting lineup this season. In three games, so far, Risacher has averaged 8.7 points and 1.7 rebounds.
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