HAWKS EXERCISE THIRD-YEAR OPTION ON ZACCHARIE RISACHER

The Atlanta Hawks announced today that they have exercised the third-year (2026–27) contract option for forward Zaccharie Risacher. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, impressed in his rookie campaign—earning All-Rookie First Team honors and becoming just the 10th Hawk in franchise history to receive that recognition.

He also made history as a two-time Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (February and March), the only rookie last season to capture the award in consecutive months.

In 75 games (73 starts), Risacher averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 24.6 minutes per game, while shooting .458 from the field, .355 from three, and .711 from the line. He was the only rookie to average at least 10.0 points on .450/.350/.700 shooting splits. Among rookies, he ranked second in total points (942), second in made field goals (357), fourth in made threes (122), and fifth in made free throws (106) — while leading all Eastern Conference rookies in offensive rating (112.3, min. 65 games).

The 19-year-old forward showcased his scoring versatility throughout the year, delivering four 30-point games, the most by any rookie in 2024–25. He poured in a career-high 38 points on April 10 against Brooklyn, going 15-of-20 from the field and 6-of-11 from deep — the most points by a rookie in a single game last season. According to Stathead, Risacher became the first rookie in NBA history to record a game with 35+ points on .750 FG% and .500 3FG% (minimum 20 FGA, 10 3FGA).

He also made NBA history as the only teenager ever with multiple 30-point, zero-turnover games, dropping 33 points with zero turnovers against New York (Nov. 6) and 30 points with zero turnovers at Cleveland (Jan. 30).

From January through the end of the season, Risacher averaged 14.0 points on .501 FG%, .401 3FG%, and .726 FT%, the only rookie to post those elite .500/.400/.700 splits during that stretch. He joined a short list of six players league-wide to reach that mark over the same span — a group that includes Kevin Durant, Domantas Sabonis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, and Christian Braun.

Risacher also represented Atlanta at NBA All-Star 2025 in San Francisco, participating in both the Castrol Rising Stars Game and the Kia Skills Challenge.

The French forward added 8 points in Atlanta’s 117–112 win over Brooklyn on Wednesday, October 29, bouncing back after a tough 123–128 road loss to the Chicago Bulls earlier in the week.

The Hawks now continue their road trip, taking on Indiana on October 31 and Cleveland on November 2, before returning home. The matchup against the Pacers will also mark Atlanta’s first Cup Night contest of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup. Atlanta will return to State Farm Arena on Monday, November 4, for a rematch against the Orlando Magic, aiming to regroup and defend their home court.

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