{"id":211284,"date":"2025-08-03T23:28:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T23:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/211284\/"},"modified":"2025-08-03T23:28:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T23:28:15","slug":"mohamed-diawara-was-knicks-top-summer-league-standout-the-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/211284\/","title":{"rendered":"Mohamed Diawara Was Knicks\u2019 Top Summer League Standout \u2013 The Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

Drafted 51st overall, Mohamed Diawara became the second French prospect the New York Knicks have selected in as many years, following\u00a0Pacome Dadiet<\/a> last season.<\/p>\n

The Summer League Knicks were not the most exciting team in Las Vegas. Their roster consisted of non-shooters, inexperienced defenders, and multiple injuries to starting players, including Dadiet and Kevin McCullar Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n

Diawara, the Knicks\u2019 lone draft pick from 2025, showed out as the most exciting player to watch for the Knicks this summer.<\/p>\n

Physical Attributes<\/p>\n

Though officially listed at 6-foot-9, Diawara appears and plays taller.<\/p>\n

In Summer League, he looked big enough to play center in small-ball lineups, often towering over players on the floor. Diawara possesses freakish physical attributes, including a\u00a07-foot-4 wingspan and a 9-foot-1\u00a0standing reach<\/a>, both of which rank in the 99th percentile among the 2025 draft class.<\/p>\n

His wingspan stood out the most. He can get to balls in the lane that typical forwards cannot.<\/p>\n

He also showed off impressive vertical and reach when getting to the rim. Diawara is a lob threat, but aside from Tyler Kolek<\/a>, he didn\u2019t have the playmakers around him to put it on full display in Vegas.<\/p>\n

Playmaking IQ and Feel for the Game<\/p>\n

Diawara was not a big scorer in the Summer League, but he showcased unteachable skills that caught people\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

His ability to drive and find open shooters shined. Though he plays with a fast, sometimes wild pace, he slows the game down and makes the right reads when the ball is in his hands. That kind of feel is rare for a big forward and is uncommon among NBA prospects, especially in their first year of Summer League.<\/p>\n

His ball-handling in those moments was equally impressive. If he can polish his footwork and learn more ways to score, he can take his game to the next level.<\/p>\n

Knicks 51st pick 6’8″ wing Mohamed Diawara on his game:<\/p>\n

“My shooting, my defense, the way I can play many positions\u2026I feel like I’m ready<\/p>\n

“I spoke with\u2026Pacome Dadiet\u2026that’s my friend<\/p>\n

“Weaknesses? More regular on my 3, working on it<\/p>\n

“I love Jaden McDaniels & Pascal Siakam” pic.twitter.com\/dy9EXbQ01f<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The best comparison for Diawara is Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam<\/a>. Like Diawara, Siakam entered the league with a strong defensive frame and freakish physical tools, but without a polished scoring game. Siakam spent most of his rookie season in the G League, and Diawara will likely follow a similar path in his first year as a pro.<\/p>\n