NBA
Zaccharie Risacher’s salary: How much money does the No. 1 Draft pick make a year?
Risacher made his NBA debut for the Atlanta Hawks in midweek, as the Georgians beat the Brooklyn Nets.
No. 1 Draft pick Zaccharie Risacher, who endured a disappointing NBA debut for the Atlanta Hawks earlier this week, will be paid a Hawks salary of just under $13 million in his rookie season.
What is Risacher’s Hawks contract worth?
After being selected by the Hawks in April’s Draft - a year after another Frenchman, Victor Wembanyama, was the NBA’s first overall pick - Risacher was handed a contract worth a potential $57.2 million over four years. Across his first two seasons in the NBA, the 19-year-old will be paid a guaranteed $25.8 million: $12.6 million in the 2024/25 campaign, rising to $13.2 million in 2025/26.
The remaining value of his Hawks contract is contingent upon his team exercising its options on the third and fourth seasons of the deal. After year three, Risacher can negotiate an extension that would take effect in his fifth year in the North American basketball league. Find out more about how NBA rookies’ contracts are structured.
What happened in Risacher’s NBA debut?
In the Hawks’ regular-season opener against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, Risacher scored a three-pointer with his first shot in the NBA - but struggled thereafter. The small forward finished up with seven points from 2-of-8 shooting at State Farm Arena, and registered one rebound, no assists and one turnover.
However, the Hawks ran out 120-116 winners, and Risacher spoke in positive tones after the game. “It was amazing,” he said, per ESPN. “That’s a dream come true. I really enjoyed it. I’m glad we won - and on to the next one. I can’t wait to play another game in two days. That’s going to be fun. Just try to keep winning, you know.”
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Who do the Hawks face next in the NBA?
In their second game of the regular season, the Hawks host the Charlotte Hornets, who kicked off their campaign with a 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets. The clash takes place today, Friday October 25, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. Viewers in the United States can watch the game on NBA League Pass.