“My parents have told me since I was young just to do my best on the court and enjoy playing the game.” It looks like Zaccharie Risacher is living by the words of his father. Even though his 11.3 points and 3.4 rebounds might not be league-leading numbers yet, the 19-year-old rookie will be representing the Atlanta Hawks in the upcoming NBA All-Star Weekend over stars like Trae Young or Jalen Johnson.

The Hawks are counting on him as they know he’s capable of stepping up when needed. His 30-point performance against the Cavaliers, despite a 137-115 loss, is a prime example. Zach’s playmaking ability seems to stem from more than just his own talent, his upbringing in a sports-oriented family likely plays a role. Let’s delve into the details of his ethnic and family background.

What is Zaccharie Risacher’s nationality and background?

Born in Málaga, Spain on April 8, 2005, Zaccharie Risacher is of French nationality. After spending around 4 years in Spain, his family returned to France a year after Zach was born. Moving back to Lyon, he began playing basketball at Élan Chalon club from the age of three. His exposure to basketball from a young age is deeply rooted in his family history.

Zach grew up with his sister, Aïnhoa who is younger than him. Much like her brother, she’s made her mark her mark in the world of professional basketball. As a shooting guard for LDLC ASVEL Féminin in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB), she’s played in the 2024 EuroCup Women, and represented her homeland at the U16 and U17 national levels, earning MVP honors. But that’s not all.

Who are Zaccharie Risacher’s parents?

Zaccharie Risacher’s parents are Stéphane and Sandrine Risacher. While his mom, Sandrine, prefers to stay out of the spotlight, his dad, Stéphane, is a pretty big name in the world of European basketball leagues. A star player in France for a long time, he won the Greek Cup and Spanish Cup, with Greek club Olympiacos Piraeus and Spanish club Málaga, also winning the Spanish ACB League championship.

From a 6x All-Star to winning the MVP award, and representing France’s national team in European leagues, winning medals in Sydney Olympics, Stéphane’s accolades include being inducted into the French Basketball Hall of Fame. It’s clear that Stéphane’s influence on Zaccharie goes beyond just genetics. Zach has often spoken about his parents’ influence on his game, and how conversations with his father after games provided valuable insights.

“You want to be like Daddy when you are young. And that’s what pushing me while I was growing,” Zach said to fellow player Trae Young. “Obviously he was already there. … It was dope having someone who knows the game, who knows like the world of basketball because it’s special. I already knew I’d be a pro before I was pro.”