In a savvy bit of draft-night maneuvering, the New York Knicks added to their arsenal of young talent by selecting French forward Mohamed Diawara with the No. 51 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
The acquisition came via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, who received the No. 50 pick in exchange. Meanwhile, New York also secured the draft rights to Serbian big man Luka Mitrovic as part of the deal.
Mohamed Diawara Celebrates Being Drafted by the Knicks
The moment Diawara’s name was called, his living room in France erupted in celebration. Surrounded by friends and family, the 6’8″ forward leapt to his feet, shouting “YEAAAAAHH! LET’S GOOOO!” before answering a congratulatory call from the Knicks’ front office.
“Thank you. See you soon. Yessir,” he responded, grinning ear to ear as he soaked in the magnitude of the moment.
“YEAAAAAHH! LETS GOOOO”
“Thank you. See you soon. Yessir”
– Mohamed Diawara celebrates being drafted by the Knicks and takes a call from the front office pic.twitter.com/vA4pLAXCAg
– New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 27, 2025
Diawara arrives in New York after an intriguing season with Cholet Basket in France’s LNB Pro A, where he logged 27 games and averaged 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in just under 20 minutes per contest.
While his box score numbers do not necessarily stand out, scouts have been drawn to his defensive instincts, impressive wingspan, and ability to stretch the floor as a modern two-way wing.
On the international stage, Diawara made his mark at the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, posting 7.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, while shooting an efficient 51.4% from the field, 31.3% from deep, and 72.7% at the stripe.
His versatility and switchability on defense also caught the Knicks’ attention during the pre-draft process. He was among six prospects brought in for private workouts, according to HoopsHype.
Diawara now joins a Knicks squad that reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season and boasts a crowded wing rotation featuring OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart. He’ll also compete for minutes alongside fellow Frenchman Pacome Dadiet, last year’s first-round selection, in what promises to be a highly competitive training camp.
A Look into Diawara’s Professional Career
Diawara’s basketball journey began in Paris with La Domremy Basket 13 before moving to Saint Charles Basket’s youth system. He joined the prestigious INSEP academy in 2020, a key hub for France’s top talent. In 2021, he signed with Paris Basketball and made his first-division debut in the 2021–22 season.
He earned MVP honors at the 2022 Basketball Without Borders camp in Milan, cementing his place on scouts’ radar. After a quiet 2023–24 campaign, Diawara was loaned to second-division side Poitiers Basket 86 to gain experience before signing with Cholet in 2024.
Now, after years of steady growth and international experience, Diawara’s path leads to the world’s biggest stage. From a living room celebration in France to a roster spot with the Knicks, his next chapter begins at Madison Square Garden.
