By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Pacome Dadiet has officially committed to represent Cote d’Ivoire, heading to the upcoming FIBA window for the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
Fresh off an NBA championship run where he became the youngest titleholder in New York Knicks history, the talented dual-national forward has opted to make his senior international debut for the Elephants instead of France, whom he previously represented at the youth level, including capturing a bronze medal in the FIBA U17 World Cup 2022.
This decision sets up a poignant family narrative on the international stage. By donning the orange jersey, Dadiet will reunite with his older brother, Maxence, a fixture of the national team program over recent years.
The addition of an NBA-caliber talent drastically alters the competitive landscape for Cote d’Ivoire as they head into a pivotal stretch later this month in Dakar. They currently stand in a favorable position within Group F of the African Qualifiers, carrying an impressive 5-1 record into the final round of qualifying competition. This gives the team a narrow but crucial one-game cushion over the six-team group’s elimination threshold.
Dadiet’s arrival provides an immediate injection of elite athleticism and perimeter size ahead of three consecutive matchups against regional powerhouses Mali, Egypt, and Angola between August 27 and August 30.
For the former ratiopharm Ulm player, these games present a perfect opportunity to build rhythm and showcase his development following a productive Summer League circuit, en route to the 2026–27 Regular Season in a highly competitive Knicks roster.
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