Less productive, Zacharie Risacher takes solace in the Hawks’ record

« Sometimes you have to remind him that he was the first pick in the draft and it wasn’t a fluke. » Formulation created by Jalen Johnson about his teammate Zachary Risacher is quite eloquent.

And it probably wouldn’t have been necessary if the Frenchman hadn’t signed a second season in the league below this first-choice status in June 2024. Because his production line is down from his rookie season.

« Zak is someone who is always working. Right now, he’s the last person shooting, and it’s always been that way with him. So if he continues to do that and follow his routine, he will start scoring again and we are all around him supporting him and understanding that he will come out of this difficult time. », is developing an interior that is in full swing with the Hawks.

By “hard” we must mean production and shooting. This season, he is averaging 11.1 points, 1.5 less than last year (12.6). Above all, his 3-point skill, upon which a good part of his game is based, is half way: from 35.5% to 29.6%.

Despite having a good first few weeks of competition, the Málaga native has found it even more difficult to continue since mid-November. Which coincides with his spectacular fall after the dunk on the Sun floor.

« I felt like I was a little shocked after the fall, my body was super tense and I had a few mistakes, especially on my left leg. But I was able to overcome it to help my team as soon as possible. So I was really happy to be able to come back as quickly as I did », the 20-year-old player testifies.

The address that eventually turns

Sure, he only missed one game after this incident, but he’s struggled to find the target since then: averaging barely 9 points on 22.5% from beyond the arc. To try to get back on track, he works. ” Really hard », qualifies his teammate Wit Krejci, convinced that ” for guys like him, it will show sooner or later ».

« I mean the law of percentages. We talked about it last year: I was shooting at 19% at the beginning, and then eventually it got better. It’s fine for him. I am sure that if you are consistent in your work, you will inevitably go through ups and downs. Just keep working and have faith », Develops the Czech shooter.

Meanwhile, failing to fully improve individually, Zachary Rizaher appreciates the good collective dynamics of his team, currently 9th in the East with a positive record (14v-11d). All in the absence of Tree Young.

« And even though only 25 games have passed, there are still plenty of games left. It’s a good base to work on for the rest of the season. And now that we’re home for a few days, it’s great to get some feedback and be able to practice a bit, see what we did, what worked, what didn’t work, and if we want to make any adjustments », concludes the Frenchman.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.