Latest news with #ZaccharieRisacher
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Predicting 6 breakout NBA players for the 2025-26 season
The 2025-26 NBA season is still a few months away, but the Summer League and offseason hype always create excitement surrounding some of the league's young talent. We're projecting the next wave of breakout NBA players who will take huge steps forward next season. Let's dive into our list of NBA players we believe will break out in the 2025-26 season. Advertisement Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Taken with the first overall pick in a 2024 NBA Draft class viewed as very weak, wing Zaccharie Risacher had a relatively quiet rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks. In his first 41 games, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged just 11 points per game, shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from the perimeter. Once he settled in, though, RIsacher showed signs of an emerging player. In his final 34 contests, Risacher shot 50.8 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 14.4 points per game. He just turned 20 years old in April and his arrow is pointing way up. Risacher is going to make the leap next season, averaging 15-plus PPG while providing above-average defense on the wing to help Atlanta become a top-four team in the Eastern Conference. Related: NBA teams that improved the most this offseason Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Portland Trail Blazers struck gold in September 2023, acquiring Toumani Camara from the Phoenix Suns. After being selected with the 52nd overall pick just months earlier, the 6-foot-8 forward showed impressive flashes defensively as a rookie. He then took another step forward in his sophomore season, earning All-Defensive Second Team honors. Already regarded as one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, scoring is the next evolution of his game. After the All-Star Break, he shot 40.3 percent from beyond the arc, making 2.3 three-pointers per game and averaging 13.8 points per night. Poised to get more opportunities this season following the Anfernee Simons trade, Camara will put himself in the running for Most Improved Player, and he'll shoot 40 percent from three-point range while earning All-Defensive First Team honors with a rising Trail Blazers team. Advertisement Related: NBA power rankings, evaluating every team Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Before suffering a fractured wrist, facial lacerations, and a concussion in April, the Memphis Grizzlies' second-round pick Jaylen Wells put himself in the mix for NBA Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old wing was remarkable from November through January, averaging 12 PPG on strong shooting splits (45.4 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from the perimeter). He hit a rookie wall in his final 31 games, but the Grizzlies saw more than enough from him to trade Desmond Bane. Poised to receive more shots and minutes, Wells is set to be one of the best NBA players age 22 or younger next season. Advertisement Related: Best NBA players right now Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Sacramento, California, could be responsible for a pair of breakout NBA players next season. Jaylen Wells, the 16th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, looked every bit like a former five-star recruit in his rookie season. Meanwhile, Jared McCain, before suffering a meniscus tear in mid-December, led all rookies in scoring (15.3 PPG) and three-pointers made per game (2.2). He even scored 20-plus points in 35 percent of his games played during his debut season. While McCain will certainly have to share the ball more in his sophomore season on a healthier 76ers roster, his overall impact over a full season will lead to a breakthrough year. Advertisement Read More: Best NBA players of all time Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images For most of our breakout NBA player picks, it's about young talent emerging as key starters next season. With Houston Rockets wing Amen Thompson, it's about making the leap to stardom. He improved as a rebounder (from 6.6 to 8.2 RPG) and distributor (from 2.6 to 3.8 APG), but the most significant progress came as a shooter (from 53.6 percent to 55.7 percent). Across his final 37 regular-season games, Thompson averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3.2 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game. The 22-year-old also earned All-Defensive First Team honors. Next season, Thompson is poised to emerge as an All-Star and one of the best wings in the Western Conference. Advertisement Related Headlines
Los Angeles Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
NBA draft has international flair after American Flagg
There's no Victor Wembanyama in the class headed to the NBA draft this week. There's no Zaccharie Risacher, either. For the first time since 2022, the first pick in the draft will not be someone from France. Wembanyama had that title in 2023. Risacher had it last year. This year, Duke's Cooper Flagg is almost certain to go No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday when the draft begins at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. That doesn't mean there isn't going to be a ton of international representation in these 59 picks. Far from it. It's not outside the realm of possibility that somewhere around one-third of the picks called on Wednesday and Thursday will be players who either originally or currently hail from outside the United States — from the Bahamas, South Sudan, Russia, Canada, China, Australia, Lithuania, Spain, Israel, France and possibly more. Some went to college in the U.S., others will be looking to come play in this country (or Canada, if the Toronto Raptors come calling) for the first time. 'The guys who came before us, these are guys that kind of created a path, like prepared the NBA to welcome Europeans and to make life easier for us,' said Stanford center Maxime Raynaud, a draft prospect from France. 'And I think the best way to pay respect to that is just coming in with the hungriest mentality and the best work ethic possible.' The one-third estimate — if it works out that way over the draft nights — might sound like a lot, but it isn't. It actually is consistent with where the game is now, considering that roughly 30% of the players in the NBA this past season were born somewhere other than the U.S. Some are names that are known in the U.S. from playing in college: Baylor's VJ Edgecombe hails from the Bahamas and almost certainly will be a top-five pick, and Duke center Khaman Maluach — originally from South Sudan, and someone still learning the game — is a top-10 candidate. 'If you told me three years ago, I didn't think I would be sitting here,' Maluach said. 'But I knew one day I would be sitting here.' A few stories from the international perspective to watch on Wednesday and Thursday: He is a 6-foot-10 power forward who plays for the German club Ratiopharm Ulm. He is going to be drafted and almost certainly as a lottery pick. Whether he gets to the draft is anyone's guess; his team is still playing in its league championship series, so getting to New York might be tough. His club could clinch Tuesday, so a Wednesday arrival isn't entirely impossible. At 6-11 with a wingspan of nearly 7-4, Beringer — who played professionally in Slovenia — is intriguing because of his combination of size, footwork and high-level knowledge of how to play defense. Expect him to go somewhere around the middle of the first round. He debuted with Real Madrid in 2023 and long has been considered someone who'll lead the next wave of players on Spain's national team. That is extremely high praise for the 6-6 wing. An intriguing but very slender point guard, the 6-3 teenager should be a first-rounder. It's not going to be a surprise if he's one of at least three Frenchmen in the first 20 or so picks. The inevitable Yao Ming comparisons will follow Yang, but a solid showing at last month's draft combine have the Chinese center — who stands 7-1 and might still be growing — listed by many as a first-round prospect. He has excellent footwork and passing ability.
San Francisco Chronicle
23-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
The NBA draft will have tons of international talent, which is to be expected
There's no Victor Wembanyama in the class headed to the NBA draft this week. There's no Zaccharie Risacher, either. For the first time since 2022, the first pick in the draft will not be someone from France. Wembanyama had that title in 2023. Risacher had it last year. This year, Duke's Cooper Flagg is almost certain to go No. 1. That doesn't mean there isn't going to be a ton of international representation in these 59 picks. Far from it. It's not outside the realm of possibility that somewhere around one-third of the picks called on Wednesday and Thursday will be players who either originally or currently hail from outside the United States — from the Bahamas, South Sudan, Russia, Canada, China, Australia, Lithuania, Spain, Israel, France and more. Some went to college in the U.S., others will be looking to come play in this country (or Canada, if the Toronto Raptors come calling) for the first time. 'The guys who came before us, these are guys that kind of created a path, like prepared the NBA to welcome Europeans and to make life easier for us," said Stanford center Maxime Raynaud, a first-round prospect from France. "And I think the best way to pay respect to that is just coming in with the hungriest mentality and the best work ethic possible.' The one-third estimate — if it works out that way over the draft nights — might sound like a lot, but it isn't. It actually is consistent with where the game is now, considering that roughly 30% of the players in the NBA this past season were born somewhere other than the U.S. Some are names that are known in the U.S. from playing in college: Baylor's VJ Edgecombe hails from the Bahamas and almost certainly will be a top-five pick, and Duke center Khaman Maluach — originally from South Sudan, and someone still learning the game — is a top-10 candidate. 'If you told me three years ago, I didn't think I would be sitting here,' Maluach said. 'But I knew one day I would be sitting here.' Noa Essengue, France He is a 6-foot-10 power forward who plays for the German club Ratiopharm Ulm. He is going to be drafted and almost certainly as a lottery pick. Whether he gets to the draft is anyone's guess; his team is still playing in its league championship series, so getting to New York might be tough. It could clinch Tuesday, so a Wednesday arrival isn't entirely impossible. Joan Beringer, France At 6-foot-11 with a wingspan of about 7-4, Beringer — who played professionally in Slovenia — is intriguing because of his combination of size, footwork and high-level knowledge of how to play defense. Expect him to go somewhere around the middle of the first round. Hugo González, Spain He debuted with Real Madrid in 2023 and long has been considered someone who'll lead the next wave of players on Spain's national team. That is extremely high praise for the 6-6 wing. Nolan Traoré, France A very intriguing point guard, the 6-3 (but very slender) teenager should be a first-rounder, but where he actually will land is a bit of a mystery. It's not going to be a surprise if he's one of at least three Frenchmen in the first 20 or so picks. Hansen Yang, China The inevitable Yao Ming comparisons will follow Yang into the NBA, but a solid showing at last month's draft combine have the Chinese center — who stands 7-1 and still may be growing — listed by many as a serious first-round prospect. He has excellent footwork and passing ability, and he knows he can still get much better. ___
Fox Sports
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
The NBA draft will have tons of international talent, which is to be expected
Associated Press There's no Victor Wembanyama in the class headed to the NBA draft this week. There's no Zaccharie Risacher, either. For the first time since 2022, the first pick in the draft will not be someone from France. Wembanyama had that title in 2023. Risacher had it last year. This year, Duke's Cooper Flagg is almost certain to go No. 1. That doesn't mean there isn't going to be a ton of international representation in these 59 picks. Far from it. It's not outside the realm of possibility that somewhere around one-third of the picks called on Wednesday and Thursday will be players who either originally or currently hail from outside the United States — from the Bahamas, South Sudan, Russia, Canada, China, Australia, Lithuania, Spain, Israel, France and more. Some went to college in the U.S., others will be looking to come play in this country (or Canada, if the Toronto Raptors come calling) for the first time. 'The guys who came before us, these are guys that kind of created a path, like prepared the NBA to welcome Europeans and to make life easier for us," said Stanford center Maxime Raynaud, a first-round prospect from France. "And I think the best way to pay respect to that is just coming in with the hungriest mentality and the best work ethic possible.' The one-third estimate — if it works out that way over the draft nights — might sound like a lot, but it isn't. It actually is consistent with where the game is now, considering that roughly 30% of the players in the NBA this past season were born somewhere other than the U.S. Some are names that are known in the U.S. from playing in college: Baylor's VJ Edgecombe hails from the Bahamas and almost certainly will be a top-five pick, and Duke center Khaman Maluach — originally from South Sudan, and someone still learning the game — is a top-10 candidate. 'If you told me three years ago, I didn't think I would be sitting here,' Maluach said. 'But I knew one day I would be sitting here.' A few stories from the international perspective to watch on Wednesday and Thursday: Noa Essengue, France He is a 6-foot-10 power forward who plays for the German club Ratiopharm Ulm. He is going to be drafted and almost certainly as a lottery pick. Whether he gets to the draft is anyone's guess; his team is still playing in its league championship series, so getting to New York might be tough. It could clinch Tuesday, so a Wednesday arrival isn't entirely impossible. Joan Beringer, France At 6-foot-11 with a wingspan of about 7-4, Beringer — who played professionally in Slovenia — is intriguing because of his combination of size, footwork and high-level knowledge of how to play defense. Expect him to go somewhere around the middle of the first round. Hugo Gonzalez, Spain He debuted with Real Madrid in 2023 and long has been considered someone who'll lead the next wave of players on Spain's national team. That is extremely high praise for the 6-6 wing. Nolan Traoré, France A very intriguing point guard, the 6-3 (but very slender) teenager should be a first-rounder, but where he actually will land is a bit of a mystery. It's not going to be a surprise if he's one of at least three Frenchmen in the first 20 or so picks. Hansen Yang, China The inevitable Yao Ming comparisons will follow Yang into the NBA, but a solid showing at last month's draft combine have the Chinese center — who stands 7-1 and still may be growing — listed by many as a serious first-round prospect. He has excellent footwork and passing ability, and he knows he can still get much better. ___ AP NBA:
Washington Post
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
The NBA draft will have tons of international talent, which is to be expected
There's no Victor Wembanyama in the class headed to the NBA draft this week. There's no Zaccharie Risacher, either. For the first time since 2022, the first pick in the draft will not be someone from France. Wembanyama had that title in 2023. Risacher had it last year. This year, Duke's Cooper Flagg is almost certain to go No. 1. That doesn't mean there isn't going to be a ton of international representation in these 59 picks. Far from it. It's not outside the realm of possibility that somewhere around one-third of the picks called on Wednesday and Thursday will be players who either originally or currently hail from outside the United States — from the Bahamas, South Sudan, Russia, Canada, China, Australia, Lithuania, Spain, Israel, France and more. Some went to college in the U.S., others will be looking to come play in this country (or Canada, if the Toronto Raptors come calling) for the first time. 'The guys who came before us, these are guys that kind of created a path, like prepared the NBA to welcome Europeans and to make life easier for us,' said Stanford center Maxime Raynaud, a first-round prospect from France. 'And I think the best way to pay respect to that is just coming in with the hungriest mentality and the best work ethic possible.' The one-third estimate — if it works out that way over the draft nights — might sound like a lot, but it isn't. It actually is consistent with where the game is now, considering that roughly 30% of the players in the NBA this past season were born somewhere other than the U.S. Some are names that are known in the U.S. from playing in college: Baylor's VJ Edgecombe hails from the Bahamas and almost certainly will be a top-five pick, and Duke center Khaman Maluach — originally from South Sudan, and someone still learning the game — is a top-10 candidate. 'If you told me three years ago, I didn't think I would be sitting here,' Maluach said. 'But I knew one day I would be sitting here.' A few stories from the international perspective to watch on Wednesday and Thursday: He is a 6-foot-10 power forward who plays for the German club Ratiopharm Ulm. He is going to be drafted and almost certainly as a lottery pick. Whether he gets to the draft is anyone's guess; his team is still playing in its league championship series, so getting to New York might be tough. It could clinch Tuesday, so a Wednesday arrival isn't entirely impossible. At 6-foot-11 with a wingspan of about 7-4, Beringer — who played professionally in Slovenia — is intriguing because of his combination of size, footwork and high-level knowledge of how to play defense. Expect him to go somewhere around the middle of the first round. He debuted with Real Madrid in 2023 and long has been considered someone who'll lead the next wave of players on Spain's national team. That is extremely high praise for the 6-6 wing. A very intriguing point guard, the 6-3 (but very slender) teenager should be a first-rounder, but where he actually will land is a bit of a mystery. It's not going to be a surprise if he's one of at least three Frenchmen in the first 20 or so picks. The inevitable Yao Ming comparisons will follow Yang into the NBA, but a solid showing at last month's draft combine have the Chinese center — who stands 7-1 and still may be growing — listed by many as a serious first-round prospect. He has excellent footwork and passing ability, and he knows he can still get much better. ___ AP NBA:
