As the NBA’s regular season winds down, it’s fair to say that this year’s rookie class has stepped up and proven worthy of the NBA. In Atlanta, Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher is one said rookie, and he’s making a strong case for why he should be honored as this season’s Rookie of the Year. It’s not just his play on the floor that inserts him into consideration, but also the fact that he’s been put in a position where not all rookies get in their first year, and that’s in a starting role. As Hawks teammate Trae Young put it, being ‘thrown into the fire as a starter’ is one reason to think why Risacher is a ROTY candidate. Young recently went to bat for his teammate and didn’t shy away from hyping Risacher up.
Trae Young Backs Hawks Rookie Teammate for ROTY
Atlanta Hawks Rookie Zaccharie Risacher Making Strong Case for Major Award Consideration
Stephon Castle, Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey, Alex Sarr, and Risacher have all come into their first seasons in either starting roles immediately or creating a significant impact off the bench. These four guys lead the latest Kia Rookie Ladder hierarchy, with Castle in the number one spot. Of course, you can’t talk about how good this year’s rookie class has been without mentioning Jared McCain. Early in the season, McCain was maybe the top rookie in most eyes with the Philadelphia 76ers. It helped that, considering the 76ers injury situation at the time. He was getting a lot of playing time, which meant more minutes to produce and show his skill. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury in November. Before that, he was gunning for this year’s top rookie. With him sidelined for the season, it opened the door for Castle and others.
Trae Young Sides with Risacher
In Atlanta, Risacher is doing his own thing to etch his name in the conversation. As the season progressed, he only improved. Now, Young is calling for Risacher to win this year’s rookie race. According to Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Young wants it clear that he’s not speaking from bias. Simply put, everything Risacher has done, he’s more than deserving because of his play.
“He should be, in my eyes, and I’m not saying it because I’m biased, but I think (he) should be Rookie of the Year,” Young said. “What he’s been doing this year, he’s been thrown into the fire as a starter. You put him up against some of the guys in the running. I think his numbers speak for himself, too. So he’s just not even focused on that. And that’s the best part about it. And we’re kind of, we’re kind of making it easy for him to just focus on the game, focus himself and having fun and having games like tonight, and just letting it loose and letting it fly.”
Can Stephon Castle Be Overtaken?
Risacher has a little higher to climb to win the award this season, even with Young stamping his approval, trying to convince the voters with his own vote of confidence. Castle in San Antonio will likely nab Rookie of the Year due to his stat line being the best out of all first-year players, his role with the Spurs as a rookie, and his impact. Castle is averaging 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Risacher numbers, while great for a rookie and his role, are lower. He’s averaging 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
On the latest Kia list, he’s in second place behind Castle. He could overtake Castle, provided the voters make adjustments. Castle also has an important notch in his belt as the only rookie to score 900+ points this year. Risacher is deserving, but it appears to be Castle’s win when it’s all said and done.
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