“Every time you give him the ball in transition, he takes it, he does a move — (maybe) behind his back — and he’ll go dunk it,” Brown said. “He was a very electric player this year.”

To Brown, Risacher’s shooting ability, his skill at the rim and his defense are his three greatest strengths. At JL Bourg, he guarded everyone from point guards to centers.

Two areas where Risacher can improve go hand in hand — his ball handling and his strength. At 195 pounds, Risacher needs to add strength and weight.

“He’s got to fill out,” Brown said.

Brown believes that part will come due to the fact that Risacher is but 19 and that he has excellent work habits. Added strength, Brown thinks, will help with his ball handling.

“I wouldn’t say he has to become a better ballhandler, it’s a (physically) stronger ballhandler,” he said.

Brown’s confidence that Risacher will make strength gains speaks to a significant impression that he made on him in their season together.

“He works hard,” Brown said. “He works very, very hard, extremely hard.”

Brown recalled Risacher being in the gym up to two hours before the team practiced, developing his game.

“He would sometimes already lift weights and then shoot and then he’d practice,” Brown said. “Crazy work ethic.”

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