Israel upset France 82-69 in Katowice behind Deni Avdija's 23 points and 8 rebounds, with Yam Madar adding 17 and Roman Sorkin contributing 12. Risacher led France with 14 while Bilal Coulibaly faced foul trouble, stalling the French attack. Poland looms next for France in the group stage.

Fantasy-angle takeaway: Avdija's heavy usage and efficient scoring boost his international fantasy upside, while Madar's scoring burst and Sorkin's versatility offer opportunistic streamer value. Risacher and Coulibaly flashed upside, but minutes will dictate their ceiling as France negotiates rotations ahead of Poland.

Israel's depth forged the late run that sealed the win, underscoring the importance of rotations and usage in international windows for fantasy managers chasing multi-category contributions. Monitor how these players are deployed against tougher defenses and in back-to-back windows to gauge true fantasy upside.

Luka Dončić delivered a triple-double (26 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) as Slovenia beat Belgium 86-69 in EuroBasket play, marking the fourth such feat in the tournament’s history. The performance came as Slovenia needed a win to stay alive after two early losses, and Dončić continued to pace the team with elite per-game numbers through three games (about 33 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 9.7 APG, 3.3 SPG). The moment also underscored his status as a Lakers cornerstone after signing a three-year, $155 million extension, despite a knee scare and summer conditioning focus that included gluten-free dieting. Lakers execs showed public support by watching him in Europe, signaling confidence in his health and development as LeBron James’ future remains uncertain. Slovenia now eyes Iceland as it tries to climb out of the group.

The spotlight on Dončić contrasts with France’s depth, which features four NBA players on the roster (Risacher, Sarr, Coulibaly, Yabusele). The dynamic shapes early-season fantasy narratives: Dončić remains the clear fantasy centerpiece, while France’ cadre provides additional DFS intrigue. The mix of EuroBasket structure, international travel, and the Lakers’ long-term commitment makes this a pivotal stretch for Dončić’s fantasy and real-world value as the season approaches.

France closed its Eurobasket prep with a 92-77 win over Greece in Athens, deploying a mix of NBA-connected talent and seasoned scorers to pace the attack. Maledon led France with 16 while Guerschon Yabusele sparked the opener by drilling three straight threes. Risacher and Coulibaly provided timely spacing and playmaking as France stayed within reach late, with Alex Sarr delivering multiple tough finishes at the rim. Greece relied on Giannis to carry the scoring load, but France seized control in the third and never looked back.

Zaccharie Risacher arrives as the Hawks No. 1 pick in 2024, a focal point of a youth-forward core that includes Jalen Johnson. In his rookie season he logged 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds with 35 percent from deep, yet big moments against the Heat showed the volatility of his path to fantasy relevance. The Haslem mispronunciation moment on NBA Today adds a light subplot, but the core takeaway is Risacher growing into a larger role as Atlanta leans into youth alongside Trae Young. If he improves efficiency and usage, Risacher could creep into late-round fantasy value, especially in formats that reward 3-pointers and scoring. Johnson stands to benefit as the Hawks' developing wing, creating a dynamic young duo with Risacher and Young.

The Hawks offseason shored up youth while preserving star power, signaling a path for Risacher to rise. For fantasy managers, Risacher is a stash with upside, contingent on ramped minutes and shot selection. The dynamic between Risacher, Johnson, and Young will define Atlanta's ceiling, making preseason monitoring crucial for redraft and dynasty outlooks alike. A successful leap hinges on shooting progression, decision-making, and a comfortable fit in Atlanta’s pace with Young driving inclusion for Risacher in catch-and-shoot and off-ball opportunities.

The Hawks reshaped around Trae Young this offseason, pairing him with Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to boost scoring, size, and guard depth. Young now has more options and better floor spacing, but Atlanta is taking a cautious route on a long-term extension, per Bobby Marks, arguing the roster’s newness demands a clearer fit before committing.

Analysts see a potential top-four finish in the East if the cohesion translates, aided by the development of Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Dyson Daniels. The extension debate hangs over the team. ESPN's Marks notes that the Hawks are not rushing a long-term commitment to Young, arguing that roster newness calls for a clearer sense of fit before a deal is inked. Atlanta could be cautious because Young's long-term value depends on how the new lineup complements him, and because the four-year, $228 million extension could echo across free agency waves next summer, with many teams capable of signing him if the Hawks hesitate. The organizational test is immediate: can Porzingis and Alexander-Walker co-create high-volume, efficient offense with Young driving plays, while Risacher, Johnson, and Daniels grow into reliable two-way wings? This season will reveal whether Atlanta's flexibility pays off and whether the championship window remains open in a league built on versatile, star-driven lineups.