The Knicks drafted French prospect Mohamed Diawara with the No. 51 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Mohamed Diawara is staying in New York City.
The 20-year-old French forward, drafted by the New York Knicks with the 51st overall pick in June after completing a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, has decided to begin his NBA career rather than returning to France, effectively avoiding becoming the latest draft-and-stash player.
His former team in France, Cholet Basket, made the announcement on Friday on X.
Arrivé en provenance de Paris à l’été 2024 et récemment médaillé d’or à l’Euro U20 avec l’Équipe de France, Mohamed Diawara avait un objectif clair : rejoindre la NBA.
C’est désormais chose faite : Mo a été sélectionné en 51ème position de la Draft NBA 2025 par les New York… pic.twitter.com/5oujazASBG
— Cholet Basket (@CB_officiel) July 25, 2025
“Arrived from Paris in the summer of 2024 and recently a gold medalist at the U20 Euro with the French National Team, Mohamed Diawara had a clear goal: to join the NBA.
“It’s now a done deal: Mo was selected as the 51st pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks and has decided to continue his journey in the United States!
“Throughout the season, Mo brought his energy and defensive impact to the team, both in Betclic Elite and the FIBA Europe Cup.
“Cholet Basket would like to warmly thank him for his dedication, motivation, and professionalism.
“Good luck in this new chapter @mo_dwra.
“We wish you the very best moving forward!” — Cholet Basket
Cholet’s announcement basically means that Diawara won’t be stashed overseas — a common route for second-round international picks — and instead will compete for a spot in New York. His performance in the Summer League must have convinced the Knicks brass, who should have seen enough to offer the Frenchman a two-way contract for next year.
Diawara averaged 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds last season with Cholet in the French LNB Elite, as well as 7.0 points, 3.7 boards, and 1.6 dimes per game during the 2024 U20 Eurobasket tournament with the French national team.
Diawara spent the past month with the Summer Knicks in Sin City, where he showed flashes of his athleticism and defensive versatility, as well as making it clear he’s still a raw talent pending molding his game.
In four games in Las Vegas, Diawara averaged 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 22.3 minutes per game.
Most players drafted in Diawara’s range end up on two-way contracts, and that remains the most likely option for the young stud, particularly since the Knicks currently have no two-way players under contract.