{"id":19581,"date":"2025-05-08T22:08:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T22:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/19581\/"},"modified":"2025-05-08T22:08:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T22:08:13","slug":"larry-nance-jr-backs-atlanta-hawks-star-for-15-year-nba-career-already-gets-what-it-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/19581\/","title":{"rendered":"Larry Nance Jr backs Atlanta Hawks star for 15-year NBA career, ‘already gets what it means…’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Atlanta Hawks veteran Larry Nance Jr is excited about the team\u2019s highly coveted young star.<\/p>\n

One year ago the Atlanta Hawks<\/a> were the fortunate winners of the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, and used it to select Zaccharie Risacher<\/a> with the number one overall draft pick<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Risacher was viewed as a developmental project instead of an instant difference-maker, and these expectations have made it easier for him to adjust to the NBA.<\/p>\n

The young Frenchman has been embraced by his teammates, producing a 38-point performance<\/a> late in the season to show what he is capable of.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto by Paras Griffin\/Getty ImagesLarry Nance Jr backs Zaccharie Risacher<\/p>\n

With the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery<\/a> upcoming, the Atlanta Hawks have been reflecting on a promising rookie year for Zaccharie Risacher.<\/p>\n

Risacher was nominated for Rookie of the Year<\/a>, an award eventually won by San Antonio Spurs prospect Stephon Castle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Hawks remain enthused at what they have seen from Risacher, posting a clip of video highlights from his season.<\/p>\n

Hinting there is a lot more to come, the Hawks\u2019 message read: \u201cThe league got a glimpse of how special Zacch is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Atlanta Hawks veteran Larry Nance Jr responded to the video, adding his own thoughts on Risacher\u2019s talent and impressive maturity. He believes the former number one pick has a long career ahead of him.<\/p>\n

Nance Jr wrote: \u201cThe kind of player we\u2019re going to be watching for a 15+ year career. Already gets what it means to be a professional.\u201d<\/p>\n

The kind of player we\u2019re going to be watching for a 15+ year career. Already gets what it means to be a professional \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffd https:\/\/t.co\/2v8eBFWWkN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Larry Nance (@Larrydn22) May 8, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

How Zaccharie Risacher played in 2024-25<\/p>\n

Zaccharie Risacher played in 75 out of 82 games for the Atlanta Hawks and averaged 24.6 minutes per game.<\/p>\n

The youngster\u2019s shooting map provided via SofaScore<\/a> displays how he likes to drive to the rim and also shoot from three, a combined skill set that makes him an especially intriguing prospect.<\/p>\n

\"Graphic.<\/p>\n

Risacher averaged 12.6 points per game, and his scoring really improved as the season went along.<\/p>\n

Prior to the All-Star break Risacher averaged 11.4 points per game, and this increased subsequently to 14.6 ppg. His rebound numbers also climbed from 3.3 to 4.0 per game.<\/p>\n

In early April, Risacher became the\u00a0third teenager<\/a> to tally at least 800 points, 200 rebounds, 100 three-pointers, 50 steals, and 30 blocks. Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards are the only other two, putting him in esteemed company.<\/p>\n

The Hawks will begin to plan around Risacher more in 2025-26, and look for him to improve as he continues his adjustment to the NBA.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n