Zaccharie Risacher, the 2024 NBA draft top pick, made his leap to the NBA after notable success in European basketball, while fellow European talent Dame Sarr has opted to begin his collegiate career with Duke University. Their distinct paths highlight differing stages of development in international basketball, offering insight into their current roles and future prospects. Risacher has already demonstrated significant promise during his rookie NBA season, whereas Sarr is preparing to showcase his potential in college basketball this upcoming year.

Zaccharie Risacher’s Rise Through European Leagues

Standing 6-foot-8 and born in 2005, Zaccharie Risacher began his professional journey with French teams ASVEL and Bourg, competing in the EuroLeague and France’s top-tier LNB Pro A and LNB Elite leagues. His initial exposure came in the 2021-22 season at just 16 years old, where he saw limited minutes across three Pro A games, scoring a total of three points, along with two EuroLeague appearances contributing four points.

Risacher’s development accelerated in the following season. During 2022-23, he averaged roughly 13 minutes per game in both the EuroLeague and the Pro A League, increasing his scoring to 3.2 points per game in the EuroLeague and 2.6 points per game domestically. His steady improvement became especially evident in the 2023-24 season, when he emerged as a key player in both the EuroCup and the LNB Elite League. He posted averages of 13.1 points per game in the EuroCup, demonstrating remarkable accuracy with a 56% three-point shooting rate, while adding 10.1 points per game in the Elite League.

This impressive performance propelled Risacher to the top of the 2024 NBA draft board, with the Atlanta Hawks selecting him as the number one overall pick. Transitioning into his rookie NBA season, he maintained a solid contribution, averaging 12.6 points per game and shooting 36% from beyond the arc, confirming his scoring ability at the highest level of competition.

Dame Sarr’s Steady Progression and Duke Preparation

In contrast, Dame Sarr, born in 2006, has spent his European career with Barcelona, competing in both the EuroLeague and Spain’s Liga ACB. His early professional experience was limited; in the 2022-23 season, he appeared in three ACB games, scoring eight points in total. The following season saw restricted playing time, with no scoring during two EuroLeague matches and five points across two ACB games.

The 2024-25 season, however, offered Sarr increased opportunities to develop. He played in 15 EuroLeague games, averaging 1.8 points per contest, and appeared in 12 Liga ACB games, where his scoring improved to 5.8 points per game. Notably, he demonstrated efficiency from three-point range with a 43% shooting percentage in those domestic fixtures.

Although Sarr’s growth did not elevate him into the category of top NBA draft prospects, his performance signals promising potential ahead of his freshman year at Duke. His experience at the elite European level and shooting skills position him as a valuable addition to the college basketball program.

Implications of Their Paths in Basketball Development

Zaccharie Risacher’s rapid rise through competitive European leagues and his immediate impact in the NBA underline the increasing influence of international talent in professional basketball. His success may pave the way for more European players to enter the NBA draft early after solid performances overseas. Meanwhile, Dame Sarr’s decision to start at Duke highlights a more traditional American path to development, blending European experience with NCAA basketball exposure. As each player advances, their differing routes exemplify the diverse opportunities available to young international athletes aiming to reach the NBA.