"Welcome to the league, kid" - Fans roast Zaccharie Risacher for admitting his athleticism is no match for NBA

Atlanta Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher got a reality check during his first games in the NBA. The Spain-born Frenchman has played four games this season but has struggled to find his rhythm, shooting 30.3% from the field and 21.4% from beyond the arc. At only 19, he has plenty of room to improve, but the first four games of his career have proven to be a big challenge.

Risacher admitted that while he was 'super athletic' in France, he feels different now that he's in the NBA.

“Back in France I was super athletic, now I’m just a regular dude," Zaccharie Risacher said, via Legion Hoops on X/Twitter on Wednesday.

Fans took to X to roast Risacher, highlighting the intense competition in the NBA compared to Europe.

"Welcome to the league kid, you are not in Europe anymore," one fan said.

"But Europeans will tell you 'it’s not a world title' 'there’s other leagues,'" another fan said.

"Well that’s what the NBA makes you realise," one fan said.

Others criticized the fact that a No. 1 overall pick is saying this and also predicted he would end up as a bust.

"Not exactly what you would like to hear from your top draft pick," one fan said.

During his first four games with the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher has averaged 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 22.5 minutes per game. The Hawks are 2-2, ranking sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.

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Zaccharie Risacher's teammate Trae Young is shining

Contrary to Zaccharie Risacher, Trae Young has been on a tear to start the 2024-25 NBA season. The veteran guard struggled in recent years, making a strong bounce-back essential for him this campaign.

He's off to a terrific start, averaging 26.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 10.8 assists per game while shooting 39.1% from the field, 29.7% from deep and 89.1% from the free-throw line.

The Hawks have renewed hopes after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020. Risacher will make $12,569,040 this year and the Hawks will be expecting a much better performance at that price.