Pacome Dadiet

Pacome Dadiet's Biography

Pacôme Djenon Dadiet, born on 27 July 2005, is a basketball athlete of Ivorian descent who’s excelled in the game from an early age, uniquely carving out his path in the world of professional basketball. Renowned as a point man for the famed New York Knicks, Dadiet’s promising career is undeniably a story of dedication, resilience, and raw talent.

Dadiet’s journey in basketball kicked off in 2011 when he joined the French basketball club, Saint-Charles Charenton. Spending nearly a decade under their tutelage, he fostered a fruitful learning experience and boundless dedication. It was at this club where he rubbed shoulders with fellow players such as Tidjane Salaün, sowing the seeds of his professional career.

His progressively unfolding skills soon led him to the Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball’s youth team, which served as a stepping stone towards his objectives. Eventually, recognizing his potential, Paris Basketball welcomed Dadiet into their youth program. Here, his talent began to gleam radiantly. During the 2021–22 season, Dadiet played in 22 games, his performance steadily escalating with an average of 17.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per match.

October of 2021 saw Dadiet’s debut in the LNB Pro A when he represented the Paris Basketball’s first team – meriting his first professional representation at the tender age of 16. Despite his limited exposure, playing only eight minutes, his impact was significant, scoring seven points. Throughout that season, he featured in eight games, impressively holding his fort.

However, 2022 brought unexpected obstacles. Dadiet decided to exit Paris for Ratiopharm Ulm, a renowned German basketball club. The significant move was, unfortunately, stalled due to a contractual quagmire that didn’t permit him to join until January of 2023.

However, once in Germany, he thrived. Suiting for Ulm’s developmental team, the OrangeAcademy, in the German third tier, Dadiet commanded games, averaging 16 points and 4.2 rebounds per bout. Moreover, he made a valuable debut for the first team, which transitioned to him being a regular at their senior ranks during 2023-24. His potential to excel in the NBA began to be acknowledged internationally.

Certainly, including Dadiet in the 2024 NBA draft seemed inevitable. Impressively, on May 2, the NBA announced Dadiet amongst the international players declared ready for the draft. On June 26, 2024, his hard work bore fruit. The New York Knicks, an NBA giant, selected Dadiet as the 25th overall pick, positioning him alongside three other French draftees – Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, and Tidjane Salaün.

His inaugural NBA match came later that year on October 22, featuring against the Boston Celtics. Despite the loss, scoring 3 points in Dadiet’s debut set a promising tone for the Knicks’.

Meanwhile, Dadiet extended his talents representing his home country. He wore the French blue at the 2021 FIBA U16 European Challengers in five games, averaging six points and 1.4 rebounds. Later, at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, his performance aided in securing a bronze medal for France.

Notably, Pacôme Djenon Dadiet’s basketball talent appears to run in the family. His older brother Maxence is also a skilled national-level basketball player, representing the Ivory Coast.

In a nutshell, from France to Germany, and landing in the heart of New York, Dadiet’s journey showcases the culmination of persistence, talent, and relentless pursuit of passion.