Fresh off an NBA championship with the New York Knicks, 21-year-old forward Pacôme Dadiet has officially pulled on the jersey of the Ivory Coast national team. He made his debut in Dakar during the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Pacôme Dadiet Makes Debut for Ivory Coast
The commitment, finalized earlier this summer, adds firepower to the West African squad as the Elephants push toward the global tournament in Qatar.
Navigating Group F Battles in Senegal
The 2.03-meter wing player joined his new teammates in Senegal for a critical stretch of fixtures. The Ivorian squad entered the window competing in Group F alongside Mali, Egypt, and Angola.
The stakes are high. Having secured five victories out of their opening six matches in the qualification cycle, the team aims to lock down one of the top two spots in the group to guarantee a direct berth to the global showcase next year.
Carrying on a Family Legacy in the National Team
Opting to play for the Ivory Coast rather than France—whom he previously represented at the youth level—carries personal meaning.
Dadiet follows in the footsteps of his brother, Maxence Dadiet, who has worn the Ivorian national team jersey since 2021 during the qualification campaign for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Born in Aubagne and holding dual nationality, the young perimeter player chose the Elephants for his senior international career.
From the Championship Trophy to FIBA Hardwoods
Dadiet’s international debut arrives on the heels of a whirlwind professional season.
He lifted the championship trophy with the New York Knicks, capturing the franchise’s first title since 1973. Following his brief stint in the qualifying window in Dakar, the former Ratiopharm Ulm and Paris Basketball prospect is scheduled to return to New York to prepare for the upcoming NBA campaign alongside teammates such as Jalen Brunson.
The Road Ahead to Qatar 2027
With the qualifying window concluding in Dakar, the Ivory Coast squad awaits the final standings to determine their path toward the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
Should both the Elephants and France secure qualification, Dadiet could potentially face his former international youth teammates on the world stage. Fans and followers can monitor ongoing updates and official FIBA match schedules through governing body announcements as the race for Qatar progresses.
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