The Atlanta Hawks finally let the whole world know which player was their pick to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, as they ultimately went with French teenager Zaccharie Risacher.
There was plenty of mystery going into the first round of the draft. For one, there was no consensus top pick unlike in 2023 when everyone saw from a mile away that the San Antonio Spurs would pick Victor Wembanyama, so the Hawks’ decision to go with Risacher came as a surprise to a lot of people, including former Kansas Jayhawks star Frank Mason.
Frank Mason has his doubts on Atlanta Hawks’ top 2024 NBA Draft pick
“Played this young guy in France this past season; no way he’s the number one pick in the NBA draft lol, but I guess!” Mason posted on X (formerly Twitter) after the announcement that the Hawks had taken the name of Risacher off the board.
To be fair, Mason later said that Risacher was good player while also still maintaining his stance that the 19-year-old forward shouldn’t have been the first name to go.
“Solid young player but # 1 pick is absurd,” Mason added.
Mason, who was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the 2017 NBA Draft and played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic, had experience playing in Europe, particularly in France.
During the 2023-24 LNB Pro A campaign with Mincidelice JL Bourg, Risacher averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds, while shooting 43.9 percent from the field.
In any case, the Hawks are hoping that they got it right with Risacher. It will take several months before they get to see Risacher in action in a real NBA game, but for now, all they can do is support the youngster and help him get acclimated to the professional setting the best they can
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