The eyes of the basketball world are on Zaccharie Risacher.
Risacher’s big threes helped Bourg hang on

The eyes of the basketball world are on Zaccharie Risacher. The 18-year-old forward is the purported No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, which means every move of his is being followed closely. And all the more so in Game 1 of the BKT EuroCup semifinals with his Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse hosting Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul.
In the first three-plus quarters, he didn’t give his fans or scouts much to get excited about, spare 2 first quarter free throws and a spectacular block of Kyle Allman in the second quarter. But when Bourg needed a boost in the fourth quarter, Risacher rose to the occasion.
Besiktas had already slashed an 18-point second-quarter lead to 6 at the end of the third quarter. And after Bourg recreated a 13-point lead early in the fourth, Derek Needham had the visitors had the visitors on the move again. His three-pointer made it 71-63 and Bourg needed to respond.
The response came from Risacher. Only seconds later, he took on Besiktas Berk Ugurlu and created space to drain a step-back three-pointer. Then, after a Jequan Lewis steal, Risacher led Bourg in transition and was only stopped by a Needham foul. On the ensuing play, Lewis fed Risacher for a three from the corner. Suddenly the margin was 77-63 and Bourg was in full control.
He added a rebound and an assist later in the fourth quarter to finish with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers and 1 block. Though it may not be among the rising star’s finest efforts in the EuroCup this season, he was ready for the pressure when his team needed him most.
And as Bourg readies for Game 2 in Istanbul on Friday, when a win would be worth a historic ticket to the finals, it is good for fans and scouts to know that Risacher is not afraid of big moments.