Zaccharie Risacher Full Scouting Report

Team: Bourg-en-Bresse

Nationality: France

Age: 18

Position: Wing

Size: 6'8", 204 lbs

The narrative on Zaccharie Risacher has changed a handful of times over the past two years. The latest one suggest he's a strong candidate for the No. 1 overall pick, a year after a disappointing showing at the Nike Hoop Summit had scouts questioning his outlook.

A starter for JL Bourg this season after playing last year for ASVEL, Risacher has emerged as a double-digit scorer and one of the LNB Pro A's most efficient shooters.

Age, production and projected fit have become selling points that paint the 18-year-old wing as one of the safe prospects in the 2024 NBA draft class.

Projected Role, Pro Comps, Best Team Fits

Projected role: Perimeter scoring wing

Pro comparisons: Harrison Barnes, Michael Porter Jr.

Best team fits: Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies

Risacher's NBA role will be similar to the one he plays for JL Bourg. He'll spend the majority of his half-court possessions spotting up from the wing or running off the ball to get open for movement-shooting opportunities.

At least in the short term, he won't be receiving many ball screens. Expect almost all of his offense to come off transition, catch-and-shoot looks and straight-line slashes.

He'll be in a similar role as Harrison Barnes, a big shotmaking wing and complementary scorer.

Draft Projection

Draft ceiling: No. 1 overall

Draft floor: Top 10

In a draft that's missing any perceived surefire stars, Risacher could have an edge at No. 1 overall due to his valued archetype, translatable skill set and room to improve.

Every lottery team could use or has room for an athletic, three-and-D wing, which seems like the worst-case outcome for Risacher. A high floor means more in an uncertain draft.

But Risacher is also in the conversation at No. 1 overall due to his potential to add more creation and playmaking from his ball-handling development. With more on-ball reps last year in France's U21 League, he was able to show more off the dribble than he has for his new team in LNB Pro A.

Risacher could slip past the first handful of teams if they think his self-creation and one-on-one skills are too far behind. If the three-and-D projection is thought of as a realistic best-case outcome for him, teams may decide to gamble on some higher-upside prospects.

Regardless, his sure-thing label should keep him from sliding further outside the top five.

Physical Tools and Athleticism

For a guard or wing, Risacher has excellent height and length that he uses to get off clean perimeter shots and finish over defenders. Athleticism gives him an extra boost in transition and on driving layups and runners. He's a smooth leaper who can take off far from the hoop.

But his tools and athleticism may still be most effective on defense. He's spent time guarding opposing teams point guards with his lateral quickness and a wingspan that can be disruptive to smaller ball-handlers.

He also covers defensive ground off the ball, recovering through screens and getting out to contest shooters.

Signature Strengths

Shotmaking/perimeter scoring

Risacher is shooting over 40 percent from three this season and is a consistent shooter, especially off the catch. He has a quick, high release with little load time. He's also shooting well sprinting hard off screens and curling into shots.

He'll occasionally hit a pull-up or step-back, and while he isn't as efficient converting off self-creation, it's clearly a shot in his bag that's improvable with more reps.

Runner game

Though Risacher isn't the most advanced ball-handler, he will get run off the three-point line because of his accuracy. He's also demonstrated a comfort level making one-foot runners in the lane, which is an important shot for a scorer who won't be a major ball-screen or isolation threat early.

Defensive upside

Between Risacher's point-of-attack defense, versatility and court coverage, he has the chance to be a highly effective defender with his positional size, length and foot speed.

Weaknesses

Creation

The game and teammates too often dictate Risacher's level of involvement, as opposed to him being able to take more control. Part of that is related to his current role, but even when he does get a chance to create, his handle seems vulnerable and limiting in the half court's tighter windows.

Most of the self-creation he flashes results in lower-percentage jumpers. He doesn't get to the free-throw line often. And he averages fewer than 1.0 assists per game, a scary number for his position.

Free throws

With improved shooting the key reason behind Risacher's resurgence toward the top of draft boards, it's somewhat worrisome to see that he makes only 69.4 percent of his free throws.