Hawks' Risacher credits Snyder for breakout game
Atlanta Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher credited head coach Quin Snyder and the coaching staff for his breakout 33-point game in the team's 121-116 win over the New York Knicks.
"He basically tells me to shoot the f-----g ball every time, and that's not just from him, that's from everybody around, coaching staff and my teammates," said Risacher. "It helps for the confidence, especially for me coming from France and trying to adjust, it's super helpful to be in that kind of position."
The first overall pick's final stat line was 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks while shooting 61.1% from the field.
Snyder told ESPN, "His progress isn't going to be linear," but he believes in Risacher whether or not his shots fall.
The Frenchman is the first teenager in NBA history to accrue over 30 points, five threes, two steals, and two blocks in a game, according to StatMuse.
The 19-year-old now leads all rookies in scoring with 12 points per game. He's adding 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists and is shooting 37.9% from the field. With Wednesday's game he also improved his 3-point shooting from 21.1% to 29.2% as he went 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.
This was the highest-scoring effort from a rookie all season. The previous high came from Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who dropped 25 against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 4.
"I start every game with the same mentality, we have the same mindset and I just want to compete, do my best," said Risacher. "Sometimes my best is 32 points or whatever, sometimes it's not, but I just do whatever I can to impact the game."
The Hawks now sit at 4-5 on the young season and will look to make it back-to-back wins Friday when they take on the Detroit Pistons.