The Knicks Passed on Kobe Sanders and Took Mohamed Diawara at 51. Who Exactly is the Frenchman?

After a surprise trade with the Clippers, The Knicks pivoted from Kobe Sanders to a long, athletic French forward Mohamed Diawara with intriguing upside.

Mohamed Diawara, Drafted 51st by the Knicks

A Last-Minute Switch at the Podium

Draft night rarely goes according to plan, and the New York Knicks reminded us of that once again. Slotted with the 50th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Knicks were widely projected to take Kobe Sanders, a savvy combo guard out of Nevada. But in a late twist, New York flipped that pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the 51st selection and the draft rights to European veteran Luka Mitrovic, who was originally selected in 2015.

With the 51st pick, the Knicks took Mohamed Diawara, a six-foot-nine forward from Cholet Basket in France’s top league. While it might’ve felt like New York traded out of the draft altogether to some, this pick still has potential. Yes, realistically, Diawara could become a stash and pray project. But he has a few upsides. He is a physically gifted, defensively versatile forward with real upside and now he is coming to Vegas for Summer League.

First Impressions: Raw Stats, Real Tools

Let’s be honest: Diawara’s counting stats won’t make you jump out of your seat. He averaged just 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 27 appearances for Cholet this season, logging 19.6 minutes a night. But context matters, especially in European leagues where younger players often take a backseat in team-centric systems.

What Diawara did show is what made the Knicks pull the trigger: elite positional size, a seven-foot-four wingspan, defensive switchability, and the type of fluid athleticism that NBA teams drool over in a modern four.

Defense First, And That’s the Right Call

If Diawara cracks the Knicks’ rotation in the future, it likely won’t be because of his scoring. It’ll be because of his defensive potential. He’s already been trusted to guard primary ball-handlers for France’s U20 squad, the same team he helped lead to gold at the 2024 FIBA U-20 EuroBasket.

He comfortably defends wings and forwards, and can even survive switches onto guards or bigs. He tags rollers early, rotates on time, breaks up lobs with his length, and contests without fouling. For a 20-year-old, his defensive instincts are ahead of the curve.

But make no mistake, this might not be a throwaway pick, especially with the Knicks expected to hire a new coach who could offer more flexibility and development time to young prospects.

On Offense: A Work in Progress, But There’s Hope

Offensively, Diawara’s toolbox is scattered, but promising. To put it simply, he’s nowhere near a knockdown shooter. He hit just 31% from three on 2.6 attempts per game this season, but that came with solid mechanics and a high-arching release. The touch is there. Consistency is not.

Even Diawara knows it. “I’ve gotta be more regular with my three-point shot. That’s the only thing I’m working on and focusing [on],” he told reporters before the draft.

Still, he’s not just a standstill shooter. He’s flashed legit ball-handling skills, pushing the pace in transition and initiating pick-and-rolls at times. He can also be unselfish (posting 42 assists to just 26 turnovers) and sees the floor well when attacking closeouts. His length makes him a sneaky cutter and a threat in the dunker spot, where he can finish through contact or go over the top.

High Motor, Higher Ceiling

One of the most underrated aspects of Diawara’s game? His hustle. Whether it’s diving for loose balls, fighting through multiple defenders for an offensive board, or cutting hard from the baseline for a finish, he doesn’t wait around for chances, he creates them.

That type of effort, paired with his frame and athleticism, gives him a shot to develop into a solid two-way contributor. The Knicks, who have emphasized grit and effort over the past few seasons, clearly see him as a fit for their culture.

Connections Matter

Another subtle but potentially key factor in this pick: Pacome Dadiet. The Knicks drafted Diawara’s fellow Frenchman at No. 25 last year, and the two have shared time in the French youth national team system. A familiar face in the locker room might ease Diawara’s transition, whether that’s in New York or the G League with Westchester.

What’s Next: Summer League, G League, or Both?

According to league sources, Diawara is expected to join the Knicks at Las Vegas Summer League, where he’ll get his first taste of NBA-style ball.

A guaranteed roster spot? That’s still unclear. The Knicks could explore a two-way contract or stash him with Westchester to hone his offensive skills. But make no mistake, this might not be a throwaway pick with the Knicks’ coaching change potentially signaling a new approach to youth development.

Final Word: The Long-Term Play

At six-foot-nine with a seven-foot-four wingspan, switchable defense, and international experience, Diawara brings traits that can’t be taught.

But he’s still a long way from carving out a regular role in New York. He’ll need to become more confident with his shot, bulk up to defend stronger players, and stay disciplined offensively to crack an NBA rotation. Development time in the G League may be the likely next step.

Still, you never know. After all, the Knicks do love drafting their French players.