SAN ANTONIO — There's been an influx of French-born players filling up NBA rosters, and 2024 NBA Draft hopeful Pacome Diadiet hopes to be the next.
Especially with a chance to take the court with fellow Frenchman, San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama.
Dadiet, who recently worked out for the Spurs according to ESPN, is a fan of Wemby and the example he sets for not just French players but all European players with NBA dreams.
"He kind of set an example for European players. To know that we're able to do some things in the NBA," Dadiet said to KENS 5. "Guys like Luke [Doncic] and [Nikola] Jokic, they did it as well."
Most mock drafts have Dadiet being selected late in the first round.
The shooting guard has the size (listed at 6-9), youth (18 years old), and can create his own shot. This skill set reflects his high development ceiling, but he is a project player for any team that selects him.
But should he be selected in this Wednesday night's draft, he can use Wembanyama's impact in his rookie season as motivation.
"It's pretty obvious the way he dominated his first year. It was incredible," he said.
The chances of Dadiet and Wemby being paired in San Antonio are small; however, the Spurs, with picks Nos. 35 and 48, could pick him in the second round.
And if he does fall to the second round and the Spurs select him, there's some familiarity between the two from their playing days in France.
"I was able to play with him a little bit when I was 15," he said.
Dadiet isn't the only French player in the NBA Draft pool who is in awe of Wemby's accomplishments in just one season.
Tidjane Salaun views the Spurs center as an inspiration, too.
"Victor is an inspiration for not only basketball players but for all the sports in France," Salaun said to KENS 5. "He's tall, and he makes the impossible possible."
"That’s great for all of us. He inspires me every day because he works a lot, and now he can dribble like a point guard."
What do you think, Spurs fans? Should the team select Pacome in the draft if he is on the board? Let us know on X at KENS 5 and JeffGSpursKENS5.