Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Hawks sign rookie Zaccharie Risacher

The Atlanta Hawks back in the first week of July signed rookie forward Zaccharie Risacher.

The Hawks selected Risacher with the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, as he became Atlanta’s first No. 1 overall pick since the 1975 NBA Draft.

Risacher most recently suited up for JL Bourg (France), appearing in 32 French League Pro A regular season games (23 starts), averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes of play (.439 FG%, .352 3FG%, .740 FT%). He was named the 2023-24 French League Best Young Player, as well as the French LNB Pro A Best Young Player of the Month twice, earning the recognition in October and November.

The 2023-24 EuroCup Rising Star Award recipient saw action in 23 EuroCup games, averaging 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 23.5 minutes (.503 FG%, .450 3FG%, .688 FT%).

Risacher played in 50 career French League Pro A regular season contests, owning averages of 7.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18.3 minutes (.425 FG%, .338 3FG%, .729 FT%). Prior to suiting up for JL Bourg, he played two seasons with French club ASVEL (2021-23), where he played alongside 2023 No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama during the 2021-22 season.

The 6-9 forward made his Senior National Team debut with France at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in February 2024. He also represented France at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, winning the silver medal, and helped lead France to the bronze medal at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup.

Risacher, who was born in Spain, grew up in Lyon, France. His father, Stephane, won the silver medal for basketball with France at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Atlanta Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery

The Atlanta Hawks secured the first overall pick at the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, which was conducted earlier today in Chicago. The first pick in this year’s draft is Atlanta’s own.

Entering today’s lottery, the Hawks held a 3% chance of receiving the top overall pick in this year’s draft. It’s just the second time in Atlanta history the club owns the first overall pick, as the Hawks selected David Thompson with the first pick in the 1975 NBA Draft.

The 2024 NBA Draft will mark the 78th year of the event.

New this year, the NBA Draft will expand to a two-night format. The first round will take place on Wednesday, June 26 at the Barclays Center, while the second round will take place at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios on Thursday, June 27.

The first round will continue to have five minutes between draft picks and the second round will increase to four minutes from two minutes.

Hawks convert contract of Trent Forrest from two-way to standard

The Atlanta Hawks have converted the contract of guard Trent Forrest from a two-way to a standard NBA contract.

In 20 games played with the Hawks this season, Forrest is averaging 2.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 10.5 minutes of action. The 6-4 guard appeared in one game with the College Park Skyhawks this season, leading the club to a 100-82 win over the Cleveland Charge on Feb. 28, 2024. He finished the win with 16 points on 7-12 shooting from the floor, in addition to four rebounds, seven assists and six steals in 26 minutes.

Forrest has appeared in 133 games over the course of his four-year NBA career (nine starts), recording 2.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 11.7 minutes of action. He spent the 2022-23 season as a two-way player with the Hawks and the previous two seasons (2020-22) as a two-way player with the Utah Jazz, after going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft.

A product of Florda State, Forrest appeared in 137 games (69 starts) over his four-year collegiate career, tallying 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 25.4 minutes (.462 FG%, .748 FT%). He finished his Seminole career as the all-time winningest player in program history with 104 wins, ranked third in total steals (224) and games played (137), while ranking fifth in total assists (455) and 10th in free throws made (336). The Chipley, Florida, native was selected to the 2019-20 All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Defensive Team, while garnering All-ACC Academic Team honors in each year at Florida State (2017-20).

Hawks waive Patty Mills

The Atlanta Hawks have requested waivers on guard Patty Mills.

Mills appeared in 19 games with the Hawks during the 2023-24 season, averaging 2.7 points and 1.1 rebounds in 10.6 minutes of play.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “because he was waived before March 1, Mills is eligible to be on a postseason roster of any team that signs him.”

The Canberra, Australia native has seen action in 879 career games (107 starts), owning averages of 8.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 20.2 minutes per game. Throughout his 15-year NBA career, Mills has suited up for Portland (2009-11), San Antonio (2011-21), Brooklyn (2021-23) and Atlanta (2023-24).

Mills was acquired by the Hawks from the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 12, 2023.

Hawks guard Trae Young injured, will undergo surgery on hand

During Friday’s game vs. Toronto, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young suffered a left hand injury. He underwent an MRI yesterday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, which revealed a tear of the radial collateral ligament (RCL) in the fifth finger of his left hand. He will undergo surgery to repair the RCL on Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Hawks sign Vit Krejci to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Vít Krejčí to a two-way contract.

In two NBA seasons with Atlanta (2022-23) and Oklahoma City (2021-22), the 6-7 forward has seen action in 59 games (eight starts), owning averages of 3.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.5 minutes (.407 FG%, .311 3FG%, .833 FT).

Krejčí appeared in 29 games with the Hawks during the 2022-23 campaign. He also suited up for the College Park Skyhawks, appearing in three games (all starts), notching 9.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 33.9 minutes of play.

The 37th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft spent the 2023 preseason with the Minnesota Timberwolves, appearing in one preseason contest. Waived by the Timberwolves on Oct. 18, 2023, Krejčí saw action in one game with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League this season.

Krejčí will wear No. 27.

Hawks waive Miles Norris

The Atlanta Hawks have requested waivers on two-way forward Miles Norris.

Norris appeared in three preseason games with Atlanta and four NBA 2K24 Summer League contests. He saw action in 16 games (14 starts) with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League this season, averaging 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 27.0 minutes per game (.414 FG%, .305 3FG%, .636 FT%).

The 6-10 forward was signed to a two-way contract with the Hawks on July 6, 2023.