Martin Lange // Photo credit: Ian LANGSDON / AFP
A 100% French European Cup final. This Tuesday evening, Paris Basket welcomes Bourg-en-Bresse for match 1 of the Eurocup final. In the ranks of Bourg-en-Bresse, the new prodigy of French basketball. One year after Victor Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher, 19, could also become number 1 in the NBA draft.
He does not stand at 2 meters 23 like Victor Wembanyama, but from the height of 2 meters 07, Zaccharie Risacher splashes Europe with his talent. Nearly 11 points per match, a title of best youngster and a first European final this Tuesday evening.
“For French basketball, it’s something exceptional”
At 19, the son of former international Stéphane Risacher is in a hurry. Brooded by Tony Parker at ASVEL, he preferred to leave to gain experience in Bourg-en-Bresse. A successful bet under the leadership of Frédéric Fauthoux, his father’s former teammate: “He is 2.07 meters tall and he runs like a 1.80 meter player, he has great game intelligence and what’s more, to be complete, it’s a great kid, he’s almost the ideal son-in-law. He’s having an exceptional season for us. He’s splashed the whole world with his great talent. The United States wants him back. For French basketball, it’s something exceptional”.
Since September, NBA scouts have been flocking to the Ekinox, the small Burgian room, amazed by the boy’s maturity. On June 27, during the draft, he should follow in the footsteps of Victor Wembanyama by being selected first or second. His main opponent? Another Frenchman, Alexandre Sarr. French basketball, a true breeding ground of champions.