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NBA Draft 2024 Rumors: 'All Signs Point to' Zaccharie Risacher as Hawks' No. 1 Pick

Julia Stumbaugh

ESPN's Jonathan Givony believes that "all signs point to" the Atlanta Hawks selecting French league standout Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NBA draft.

"The Hawks continue to signal that they have not yet determined their draft-night direction, but other teams are preparing as if Risacher will come off the board at No. 1," Givony wrote.

If Risacher goes at the top of the draft, the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs will be selecting between other top picks like Australian standout Alex Sarr, UConn's Stephon Castle and Kentucky's Reed Sheppard.

The Hawks conducted a private workout with Risacher the week prior to the draft, per Givony.

Atlanta's public interest in Risacher extends back to earlier this spring, when Hawks leadership, including head coach Quin Snyder and assistant general manager Kyle Korver, traveled in May to Bourg, France, to watch the 6'8" wing in the LNB Elite playoffs.

Risacher proved he could succeed in the pros by competing for JL Bourg last season, averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 35.2 percent from deep in league play.

In his final mock draft for Bleacher Report, Jonathan Wasserman predicted the Hawks will take Risacher with the No. 1 pick.

"While scouts continue to debate the height of his ceiling, there is a perceived level of certainty tied to his positional size, shooting and defensive tools/quickness," Wasserman wrote. "That could sway the Hawks to lean Risacher's way without a sure-thing star at the top."

Wasserman added that injury concerns surrounding Saddiq Bey and AJ Griffin could lead to the Hawks using the pick to bolster their small forward depth.

There is still a chance that the Hawks could decide to trade the No. 1 pick, as The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported Monday the team was listening to offers, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said Tuesday that it appeared the Hawks would be sticking with the selection.

The 2024 NBA draft begins Wednesday at 8 pm. ET on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.

   

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