The Knicks are riding high this offseason after their historic playoff run and third NBA championship, but the international stage is still buzzing! Two current Knicks and three former players are out there repping their countries in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers. And let me tell you, one current Knick is already making some serious noise: Pacome Dadiet.
Dadiet’s Senior National Debut Is Straight Fire
This kid, Dadiet, just hit a massive milestone. He’s a native of France, yeah, but with Ivorian roots, he chose to play for Côte d’Ivoire, making his *senior national team debut*! How cool is that? Ivory Coast went into the second round of qualification with a strong 5-1 record, and they kept that momentum going in Dakar, Senegal. Their first game last Thursday was a tight one against Mali, but they pulled out an 83-77 win. Dadiet, playing alongside his older brother Maxence for the first time, dropped nine points and grabbed nine rebounds. His shot wasn’t fully there yet, going 4-for-12 from the field and 1-for-8 from deep, but what really pops out? Five offensive rebounds! The Knicks definitely need some help on the boards after Mitchell Robinson left, so seeing Dadiet crashing like that is a huge sign for the future.
Keeping the Momentum Going
Just two days later, Ivory Coast was back on the court facing Egypt, and guess what? Another close victory, 72-66. Dadiet stepped it up, scoring 13 points and pulling down six rebounds in 25 minutes. He improved his shooting from deep, hitting 3-for-7 from beyond the arc, though he was 5-for-15 overall from the field. It’s a small note, but the team did lose his minutes by 12 points, showing there’s still room for growth and adjustment to that senior international level. The Ivory Coast squad was set to hit the court again on Sunday for a game against Angola.
It’s awesome to see our guys putting in work and repping their nations, especially when it means getting crucial reps ahead of next year’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar. That tournament isn’t just for bragging rights, it’s the pathway to the 2028 LA Olympics! With their 5-1 record, Ivory Coast is in a really good spot, and Dadiet’s contributions are only going to become more vital. Keep an eye on him, Knicks fans, because this international experience is going to pay off big time!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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