While the Knicks are still basking in that incredible glow from their historic playoff run and third NBA championship, two current guys and three former players were out there grinding in the latest FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. And let me tell you, Pacome Dadiet just showed us all a serious glimpse of what New York might be cooking up for their frontcourt future. You know I’m all about national team events. The energy is just different, the stakes are wild. Even though this isn’t a huge international hoops summer, these dudes are fighting for their spot in the FIBA World Cup in Qatar next year. That means a shot at the 2028 LA Olympics, man. Talk about high stakes!
Dadiet Goes Hard For Côte d’Ivoire
Dadiet, born to Ivorian immigrants near Nice, France, made the call to represent Côte d’Ivoire, and this was his senior national team debut. How cool is that? After rocking it for France as a teenager, he stepped up for his family’s roots. Ivory Coast was already in a strong position, heading into the second round of qualification with a 5-1 record, and that carries over into Group F. These qualifier games went down in Dakar, Senegal, and Dadiet wasted no time making an impact. In their first game last Thursday, Ivory Coast faced Mali and nabbed a tight 83-77 win. Dadiet played alongside his older brother, Maxence, for the first time, which is just awesome to think about! He put up nine points and nine rebounds, going 4-for-12 from the field and 1-for-8 from deep. But the real headline there? Five offensive boards. Yeah, you read that right. Five! After Mitchell Robinson’s departure, the Knicks might just need some help on the offensive glass, and Dadiet is out here delivering that message loud and clear.
Flashing Potential and Future Impact
The grind didn’t stop there. On Saturday, Ivory Coast went up against Egypt and pulled out another close one, winning 72-66. Dadiet kept that energy going, dropping 13 points and pulling down six rebounds in 25 minutes. He hit 5-for-15 from the field and drained 3-for-7 from three, showing off some range. The team did lose his minutes by 12 points, which is something to watch, but you gotta appreciate the hustle and the offensive firepower he’s bringing. Ivory Coast was right back on the court the very next day, Sunday, for a game against Angola. You can bet Dadiet was out there giving it his all again, fighting for those World Cup spots that could lead to Olympic glory. These reps are huge for his development and honestly, they’re showing the league what kind of player Dadiet is becoming. Keep your eyes peeled, because if he keeps this up, the Knicks might have something special cooking.
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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