ATLANTA (USA) - Zaccharie Risacher has only just begun his adventure in the NBA after being the number one pick in the 2024 draft. But the 19-year-old Frenchman insists playing at next summer's FIBA EuroBasket 2025 is on his mind.
Ahead of the start of the NBA season, the Atlanta Hawks rookie held a video press conference with French reporters and did not shy away from addressing the important continental spectacle next summer.
"I always do my best to make my dreams come true and achieve my goals. The French team is one of them. It's definitely in the back of my mind even though I'm in the NBA," he said about the French national team. "It would be a dream to represent my country at the highest level."
And when asked directly directly about EuroBasket 2025, Risacher added: "I'm thinking about it. Right now, I'm focused on the NBA but obviously the Euro is in the back of my mind."
Risacher has already made his senior national team debut, collecting 1 rebound in 5 minutes against Croatia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in the February 2024 window.
"I had the experience of doing it in February, during the windows, it was a special feeling."
The forward also helped France win the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021; take second place at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023; and finish third at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022.
"I am used to youth selections, big preparations, summers away from family and loved ones. I know what to expect and I'm really happy to be able to claim that. It would be a childhood dream," he said.
The name Risarcher and the France national team also has history as Zaccharie's father Stephane Risacher appeared in 124 games for Les Bleus including winning silver at the 2000 Olympics and playing at four FIBA EuroBaskets.
France will have to try to qualify for EuroBasket without the younger Risarcher as he will be playing in the NBA during the November 2024 and February 2025 windows, when France face Cyprus twice and then Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, respectively.
Risarcher not only already has experience with the French national team but he also knows new French head coach Freddy Fauthoux, who took over from the legendary coach Vincent Collet. Risacher played for Fauthoux last season at JL Bourg-en-Bresse.
Risarcher will also have a healthy dose of France in the NBA as 14 players from his homeland are playing in the league.
"It's great. It's great to have so many French people representing the country in this very competitive league," said Risacher, who was selected ahead of fellow Frenchman and No. 2 pick Alex Sarr. "It's super rewarding, a lot of excitement around that. And for my part, I'm happy and excited to know that we come from the same country and that we've more or less gone through the same journey and that we've each managed to achieve our dreams. I'm happy to be able to share this adventure with my compatriots."
One of those fellow French players is the number one pick from the 2023 NBA Draft, last season's Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, who many see as one of the faces of the NBA for years to come.
"I just admire what he does. We come from the same country, we did the same things with a year's difference. It's just incredible to have someone like him from whom you can draw inspiration," said Risarcher, who added that he and Wembanyama do not have much contact at all.
But the two will likely play a major role for the France national team for years to come.
FIBA