https://www.nbadraft.net/mohamed-diawara-nba-draft-interview/

Mohamed Diawara NBA Draft Interview
By: Eric Guilleminault
15–19 minutes

Mohamed Diawara is a 6’9 2005 born forward out of Paris, France. In the draft scene for a couple years now he is an early entrant candidate for this draft cycle. A versatile defender with a measure 7’3.75 wingspan he is a name our draft audience should know. We conducted the interview on May 31st, 2025, just prior to him heading to the states for NBA Draft workouts:

Eric Guilleminault: Hi. I’m Eric Guilleminault and I am with Mohamed Diawara who is a French prospect who has entered the 2025 NBA draft. Mohamed. For the draft audience that may not know you so well. Can you tell me a little bit about your background and about your basketball journey so far?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah. Okay. I’m  Mohamed. I’m 20 years old now and I started playing basketball at eight years old in Paris. Because my, now I’m playing professional three years and that’s a new challenge for, and that, that’s it. Okay.

Eric Guilleminault: So you said that you started basketball because of your sister? Yeah. I read a little bit about your background that your sister was very much, you were watching her in practice and that’s kind of how it got you started with the game, is that correct?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, exactly. That’s the same. I was at her practice when she was later and, you know, at the end of the practice I was like shooting the wall or during the practice. So that’s how I started liking basketball. Exactly.

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Eric Guilleminault: Did you play other sports like soccer growing up before basketball?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, for sure.

Mohamed Diawara: In Paris. I feel like everybody plays soccer at first, so I played for, I played soccer for sure during like, I mean, during a lot of years, you know, after the school, during the school, but not, not really like in the club. I wasn’t in a club or, or something like, like that.

Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. Mm-hmm. And you grew up in Paris.

Eric Guilleminault: Mm-hmm. And you played with a you started at an early age and you played at Saint-Charles Charenton. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Which is a huge basketball club, and it turns out you were teammates with two players that are currently in the NBA Pacôme Dadiet. and Tidjane Salaün. How was that experience growing up \ and to follow up? Do you still keep in touch with those guys?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, for sure. I still keep in touch. Like I say, that’s funny because you asked me, I was in talking with Pacôme (Dadiet) yesterday. But uh, yeah, now Tidjane (Salaün) is more, more hard to have him. He’s but he’s still my guy. Both of both of them are still my guy. We, we still talking to each other right now. And yeah, as you say, I wa I was playing with them in  Saint-Charles Charentons. Yeah, that was, you know, that was a, a good year. We had a great team and that was two of my, my, my good friends in, in that team. So, yeah. That was good.

Eric Guilleminault: Did they give you any sort of advice as you go through this draft process?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, for sure. Yeah, yeah, for sure. I ask a lot of question, and they gave a lot advice.

Eric Guilleminault: Your first, pro experience was in your hometown Paris.

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Eric Guilleminault: Pro and also U 21 experience. [Yeah]. How did it feel to put that Paris uniform on for the first time as a pro?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, I mean, that was crazy. You know, I’m from Paris, born and raised, so I mean, that was just crazy to play e every weekend, every time in front of the family. In front of everybody, in front of every friend. So that was, I mean, that was crazy. And that was the, the, the good parts of, of that, that was really helping me, you know, and mentally and physically.

Mohamed Diawara: That was, that was great. I didn’t have to, to always have a apartment because my family was there, so was easier.

Eric Guilleminault: Okay. Your, your neighborhood is the 13th arrondisement, correct?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah. Yes, exactly.

Eric Guilleminault: Let’s go a little bit about your, French Federation experience.

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm.

Eric Guilleminault: You won a gold medal for the U 20 team in EuroBasket last year. Tell me a little bit on what you took away from that experience and how that experience was overall for you.

Mohamed Diawara: Um, that, I mean, that was great. Since I’ve been 13 or 14 years old, I’m playing every summer for the French national team. So it is now like a, a routine for me. And Yeah. You know, just like last year I won , my first gold medal with them. And that was a, that was a crazy moment. Year 2025 Champion of Europe. That was, that was crazy. And , I’m never going to forget it.

Eric Guilleminault: Nice. Mm-hmm. You also then played at the Adidas Euro camp in Treviso last year, and you measured really well. Six, nine and like nine three ish Wingspan, standing reach and stuff.

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm.

Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. How was that experience and what kind of feedback did you receive from scouts while there?

Mohamed Diawara: That was great. That, that’s experience. You know, you have , the opportunity to play against a lot of, of great players from Europe, from the States. That was crazy.

Mohamed Diawara: And, actually as you say, uh uh, no, that was a cool, I had some really, really good like good results for the test. And, I had a lot of feedback with the scouts. That was great. They told me about what I need to improve, for the next season. And I think that I did it really well.

Mohamed Diawara: And no. That was great. That was great.

Eric Guilleminault: What sort of advice, did you implement this season?

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm.

Eric Guilleminault: That you could let us know a little bit the audience that you think you Yeah. You got better from the feedback that you received?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, from the feedback the most feedback that I need to be more regular to have a better shoot

Mohamed Diawara: And I think, we work on it this season and I think it’s way better about my defense. I have to be a better defender. Like what’s going to be my job in the NBA if I can get there. And, um, that, yeah, that was most of the, of the advice that they gave me. Defense and 3-point shot. And, you know, just physically be better. Work on my body and all.

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Eric Guilleminault: Now going on the defense, because you are, when we look at like your film and stuff

Mohamed Diawara: mm-hmm.

Eric Guilleminault: That’s one of your strengths it seems like.

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm. Yeah, for sure. The defense. Uh, for sure.

Eric Guilleminault: When you’re defending, you can either, you’re at the top of the] key or like long, lengthy wing defender a lot of times.

Mm-hmm.

Eric Guilleminault: When you’re defending the pick and roll, what are you looking for? Do you have particular things? like if you’re on the ball, what are you looking for? If you’re in the drop, what are you looking for? What are you looking at? How are you tagging people? Like can you little describe that? For the draft audience?

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm. No, I mean, when I’m guarding the ball train, I feel like, I mean, it depends on the defense that we are going to do with the coach, with the team. But most of the time I’m looking for the ball. I’m looking for. I know that I have long arms, so I know that I can deflect other passes

I can like really like disturb the guy who, the ball. So it’s going, it’s going to be my main job. And after, it’s depends on when we drop, like you say, I got a big wingspan. I know that I can catch, touch every ball and disturb the main player. So I think that’s what I’m doing and I’m doing pretty well.

Eric Guilleminault: Yes. , The stats agree with you. Yeah.

Eric Guilleminault: This was your second year at Cholet Pro?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, my, my first year. First first

Eric Guilleminault: year, sorry. Second year, in Pro. What do you feel you’ve improved and developed most over the course of the season?

Mohamed Diawara: I feel like I said, my 3-point shot, I think he is way better right now.

And I think my ball handling, I know that I’m, I mean, I’m, I’m a big guard for me. I feel like I’m a big guard. I can the ball like a guard and, that’s what I think I’m way better right now. I think my, yeah, my, my 3 point shot passes defense. I’m way better. I think I’m way better and, yeah, I think it’s pretty much.

Eric Guilleminault: Okay. How would you describe your game?

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm. Um, I just saw my game as an all-around player. I can do everything on the court, uh, defensive. I can go one to five. I feel like offensively I can play one to five. I feel like I’m a, I’m really an all-around player. I can do everything on the court, handle the ball, shoot the ball, defensd every position.

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Eric Guilleminault: So when I watched some (recent) film I noticed since I’ve watched you over the course of your career. Mm-hmm. That it seems like in the last 18 months you’re able to see, You’re a good passer, you’re like a point forward passer and stuff, but it seems like the ball moves quicker, like your decision process is quicker.

Am I right in that assessment? That things kind of slowed down for you in the last 18 months or is that just like something that developed over time that you got more comfortable at the pro level?

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm. No, I think for sure, like you say, I’m thinking I’m way better at it. I feel like he, he is like with the, with the IQ, he come with the IQ, I think it’s way better.

And I think, that’s not even something that I work on. I think he’s just come with the maturity to play with the pros and starting to understand the game.

Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. Nice. Nice. Mm-hmm. What do you feel is your best skillset? If there’s one thing, what do you think you’re the best at?

And the follow up with that, what is the one thing that you think contributes the most to winning a basketball game that you do best?

Mohamed Diawara: I think it’s defense, for sure. For the second question, I think it’s defense. I mean, you, you cannot win games if you’re not defending. So I feel like it is making stop.

Yeah. Differently for sure. The one thing that you need to win game and the main thing I is my best, like, my best thing to do. I would say, I think it’s defensively. I think, my best version of me is defensively. I think I pressure the ball full court

Mohamed Diawara: I think is my best thing I do.

Eric Guilleminault: And I’ve seen you both at the wing and in the post. Mm-hmm. Like if a smaller defender will guard you, you’ll post them up and you’ll back them down.

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, sure.

Eric Guilleminault: What are you looking for when you’re starting to back him down? Are you looking for the help defender? Are you, what are, what are you feeling out at that time?

Mohamed Diawara: Uh, I mean, most of the time, you know I’m taller than the guy who going to guard me. So I know that. I mean,, you know, when you’re good at post, everything going to scout. Make some help. So I know most of the time I’m going for the, I want the basket first. I want the basket first, but I know where the help is going to come.

Mohamed Diawara: So, um, I mean like I say I have a good IQ so I know that , the help going to come. So when I turn around, I’m just trying to find the open player because I know that if there is two guy on me, there is for sure one guy who’s going to be available. So I’m just looking for that guy.

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Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. You are a very willing passer. Both on the wing, swinging it around.

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm.

Eric Guilleminault: And even on drives. And then like I said, in the post, you always seem like you’re looking for that angle

Mohamed Diawara: Yes. Yes for sure

Eric Guilleminault: You just finished your season with Cholet and you unfortunately you lost to Bourg en Bresse.

Mm-hmm.

Eric Guilleminault: But you had a great game. 14 points 7 rebounds as a finale. What in a vacuum or to summarize do you take from this season with Cholet?

Mohamed Diawara: That it was a great season. We did a, a great job. We finished first. We, I mean, we were, we were first the whole season, but at the end, uh, things, uh, com complicated a little bit.

So we, but we finished like four, four is a, is pretty good. We just behind the EuroLeague teams. So I think we, we did a great job and I mean, I feel like that’s really my first year as like a total pro. So that was great. That was great. And If we, we could be, champion that, that was our dream.

But unfortunately, as you say, things happen and we lost that against Bourge en Bresse, but that was a really good season.

Eric Guilleminault: Nice. Mm-hmm. Um, what’s your favorite move on the basketball court? Offensive move.

Mohamed Diawara: My favorite move. I feel like it’s crossover or step back. This jab I like. I like the jab too. I like the fun fake jab.

Mohamed Diawara: Then I take my shuttle, I’m gonna go to the post. I feel like that’s my, that’s my GoTo move.

Eric Guilleminault: And would you rather have a dunk, a block, a steel, or an assist?

Mohamed Diawara: I’m going to take that dunk. I’m going to take that dunk.

Eric Guilleminault: Okay, on the court, how would a teammate describe you?

Mohamed Diawara: I feel like every, everybody who we, who I play know my skillset know that I’m an all-around player.

So I would say therefore describing they’re going to like a or, or just the word all-around player, something like this. Sure.

Eric Guilleminault: Defense is a hard thing to do. It’s self-motivation and whatnot. What keeps you motivated?

Mohamed Diawara: Uh, on, defense. I, I just love defense that that’s the, that’s not the job that every everybody want to do, but I feel like, you can really, really make you some money if you do it good. So you got to be a great defender. And I feel like what’s motivating me is just that I want to play at the highest level. And I know for me to play the highest level, I have to [be a great defender. That’s what motivated me.

Eric Guilleminault: Makes sense.

Eric Guilleminault: Let’s go a little bit off the court for a little bit. What are your biggest interests off the court?

Mohamed Diawara: Off Court. I’m not really a guy going to play like the whole journey on, the PS five I’m who like spend time with his family. And, but you know, I can play a little bit if I can, if I have the opportunity to play soccer or watch tv, watch movies. I think that’s my, that’s what I like to go up to court, but, I really like to, to stay at home most of the time.

Eric Guilleminault: What’s your favorite movie?

Mohamed Diawara: I got to say Black Panther. Really? A movie that I love.

Eric Guilleminault: Okay.

Mohamed Diawara: Or Avatar, you know. Avatar.

Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. Yeah.

Eric Guilleminault: Win an Olympic Gold Medal for France or win an NBA title if you could only do one in your career.

Mohamed Diawara: I think the Olympic medal, I think. Yeah, with France.

Eric Guilleminault: Top two most used apps on your phone right now. What do you think you use the most?

Mohamed Diawara: Instagram and TikTok for sure. I think so. Okay. Okay. Instagram, TikTok, or maybe maybe X now is not Twitter. X, maybe X? Yeah.

Eric Guilleminault: Okay.

Eric Guilleminault: For the audience that who doesn’t know you, this is a good chance to tell them who are you as a person?

Mohamed Diawara: Yeah, I mean, I’m a chill guy. I’m not a guy who will talk a lot. I mean, if I know you, I’m going to talk to you. If I don’t know you, I’m going to be more like, uh, personal. But I’m, I’m just a chill guy. For real. I like to laugh. I’m a funny guy. And, yeah, really a chill.

I think, the best word to describe me, chill.

Eric Guilleminault: Chill.

Mohamed Diawara: Mm-hmm.

Eric Guilleminault: Okay. Well thank you for your time.

Mohamed Diawara: No, problem. Thanks

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

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martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/KingBacca22x/status/2018845708120682589

It could happen. He's already doing all of those things.

My biggest concern is the cat is out of the bag and anyone can offer him a fat contract.

This is a big problem for us because someone will do it. He's clearly going to be worth a eye-popping deal for a sophomore.

The problem is complex because he is going to be a better player than all of the guys we're concerned with retaining, including Mitch, Deuce, Alvarado and you really cannot afford to let Diawara walk, because this is our Jokic moment where a late pick turns into a monster player.

The conundrum is cap space to sign Diawara may crowd out of the other guys, but if you pre-empt free agency and extend Diawara now you probably piss off the other guys in the process.

But the bottom line is one Diawara will be worth more than all of them put together. That's my projection for him. I think he's going to tear up the league sooner than later.

It's too late to hide him during the playoffs so we might as well use him to go deep. If he has a dominant playoffs and we haven't signed him yet it will create a budget crisis for the FO. But you gotta do what you gotta do. This guy is going to be better than OG, book it, so lock him down ASAP and if it pisses off the other players then so be it.

KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/KingBacca22x/status/2018845708120682589

It could happen. He's already doing all of those things.

My biggest concern is the cat is out of the bag and anyone can offer him a fat contract.

This is a big problem for us because someone will do it. He's clearly going to be worth a eye-popping deal for a sophomore.

The problem is complex because he is going to be a better player than all of the guys we're concerned with retaining, including Mitch, Deuce, Alvarado and you really cannot afford to let Diawara walk, because this is our Jokic moment where a late pick turns into a monster player.

The conundrum is cap space to sign Diawara may crowd out of the other guys, but if you pre-empt free agency and extend Diawara now you probably piss off the other guys in the process.

But the bottom line is one Diawara will be worth more than all of them put together. That's my projection for him. I think he's going to tear up the league sooner than later.

It's too late to hide him during the playoffs so we might as well use him to go deep. If he has a dominant playoffs and we haven't signed him yet it will create a budget crisis for the FO. But you gotta do what you gotta do. This guy is going to be better than OG, book it, so lock him down ASAP and if it pisses off the other players then so be it.

This is setting up to be another Jeremy Lin situation where another team comes in and offers a poison pill contract. I don’t understand the FO’s thinking on this. It’s the second time they’ve done this (Hartenstein being the first) where they fail to secure the bird rights of a player. Why not setup a 3 year deal with a team option on the 3rd year? Unless his agent demanded this, which is hard to believe since he barely even got drafted at pick 51. At this point I wish Thibs was still the coach, he would have at least had him glued to the bench so the rest of the league wouldn’t know how good he is, and we could keep him under wraps like we did Deuce.

The biggest loser in all of this is going to be KAT. We have too many guys that gotta get paid that his 60+ million a year might have to be moved either this summer or the next. We might also have to say goodbye to Mikal or OG at some point also.

Mo could only be given a 1 or 2 year exception deal.

The Knicks will most likely go over cap next year. Why are we worried about this? It is goink to happen.

These are not problems to worry about. This is a good thing.

This is exactly what you want: Mo being a rotational player and under RFA.

As for Diawara, Lets see how it all shakes out. If we buried him we'd really not have this situation to worry about would we? Most of us would want him moved for a roster spot and we'd complain about something else.

Enjoy the prospect and sitatuion of a young player getting a chance and a coach open minded to make it happen. Blaming KAT because of future roster moves of role players like Deuce or another needing to move on because of money? C'mon man, the ceiling is higher with KAT as imperfect as he is.

martin wrote:How about this question: who is the last young player before Mo that got you this excited to see the development unfold?

IQ? RJ? Grimes? Deuce? KP? Ron Baker?

IQ was exciting up until the 2023 playoffs happened.

Philc1 wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:

martin wrote:

KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/KingBacca22x/status/2018845708120682589

It could happen. He's already doing all of those things.

My biggest concern is the cat is out of the bag and anyone can offer him a fat contract.

This is a big problem for us because someone will do it. He's clearly going to be worth a eye-popping deal for a sophomore.

The problem is complex because he is going to be a better player than all of the guys we're concerned with retaining, including Mitch, Deuce, Alvarado and you really cannot afford to let Diawara walk, because this is our Jokic moment where a late pick turns into a monster player.

The conundrum is cap space to sign Diawara may crowd out of the other guys, but if you pre-empt free agency and extend Diawara now you probably piss off the other guys in the process.

But the bottom line is one Diawara will be worth more than all of them put together. That's my projection for him. I think he's going to tear up the league sooner than later.

It's too late to hide him during the playoffs so we might as well use him to go deep. If he has a dominant playoffs and we haven't signed him yet it will create a budget crisis for the FO. But you gotta do what you gotta do. This guy is going to be better than OG, book it, so lock him down ASAP and if it pisses off the other players then so be it.

This is setting up to be another Jeremy Lin situation where another team comes in and offers a poison pill contract. I don’t understand the FO’s thinking on this. It’s the second time they’ve done this (Hartenstein being the first) where they fail to secure the bird rights of a player. Why not setup a 3 year deal with a team option on the 3rd year? Unless his agent demanded this, which is hard to believe since he barely even got drafted at pick 51. At this point I wish Thibs was still the coach, he would have at least had him glued to the bench so the rest of the league wouldn’t know how good he is, and we could keep him under wraps like we did Deuce.

The biggest loser in all of this is going to be KAT. We have too many guys that gotta get paid that his 60+ million a year might have to be moved either this summer or the next. We might also have to say goodbye to Mikal or OG at some point also.

Mo could only be given a 1 or 2 year exception deal.

The Knicks will most likely go over cap next year. Why are we worried about this? It is goink to happen.

These are not problems to worry about. This is a good thing.

This is exactly what you want: Mo being a rotational player and under RFA.

if a team offered him something like 2/10m could we match that?

Yes, Diawara is RFA. But this leads to a much bigger issue.

Knicks are absolutely going over second apron next season. They are right now committed to $205mil and the apron is $207 and the first figure only covers our core starter guys plus Deuce plus Alvarado who has a $4.5 mil player option he will likely pick up.

Mitch and Shamet both have to be resigned in addition to Diawara at a minimum. So you’re probably looking at our team payroll at $230 million next season.

Most of the second apron penalties are not a big deal but there’s 2 that are tough. No MLE and if you are over it 3 out of 5 years your first round pick in 7 years automatically goes to the end of round 1.

I would be surprised if this team wasn't prepared to go over the 2nd apron for at least 2 years until KAT's contract runs out. If this is our team and we aren't making major trades, then you have to go for it at full strength. Because we are already probably a tier below championship level. I mean we can win it all, we have a punchers chance, but we aren't in a position where we can lose guys like Mitch, Mo, Deuce...etc.. and still be a title contender.

The above does not include the 3 picks they'll need to use.

If the Knicks trade for Giannis, they will most likely be hard capped at the second apron but then more than just KAT is going out, so things go up in the air.

martin wrote:The Knicks can go over the second apron to resign their guys.

The above does not include the 3 picks they'll need to use.

If the Knicks trade for Giannis, they will most likely be hard capped at the second apron but then more than just KAT is going out, so things go up in the air.

so we are at 213m, and would need to resign Mitch, Shamet and MO. Mitch, 15m, Shamet and MO maybe 5m total? And then our picks probably add another $5m. so we'd be around 238m.

I hope this is what we do. Trying to stay under the 2nd apron would be very difficult. Did not realize trading for Giannis hard caps us. that would mean no Mitch.

nycericanguy wrote:

martin wrote:The Knicks can go over the second apron to resign their guys.

The above does not include the 3 picks they'll need to use.

If the Knicks trade for Giannis, they will most likely be hard capped at the second apron but then more than just KAT is going out, so things go up in the air.

so we are at 213m, and would need to resign Mitch, Shamet and MO. Mitch, 15m, Shamet and MO maybe 5m total? And then our picks probably add another $5m. so we'd be around 238m.

I hope this is what we do. Trying to stay under the 2nd apron would be very difficult. Did not realize trading for Giannis hard caps us. that would mean no Mitch.

Not necessarily. It means Brock Aller and co need to get creative.

There is no world where Knicks trade KAT for Giannis straight up, at least one more rotational player will most likely need to go. Or maybe it's Kolek, Pac, picks, etc.

Deuce is the guy whose position is now covered by lots and lots of other players, as an example.

martin wrote:Second apron for this year is $207m, next year it'll be $223M.

These are the current numbers

	
	Age	Player		2025-26		2026-27
-------------------------------------------------------------
1	30	KAT		53,142,264	57,078,728
2	28	OG Anunoby 	39,568,966	42,500,000
3	29	Jalen Brunson	34,944,001	37,739,521
4	29	Mikal Bridges	24,900,000	33,482,145
5	30	Josh Hart	19,472,240	21,030,019
6	27	Mitch Robinson	12,954,546	
7	27	Jose Alvarado	4,500,000	4,500,000
8	25	Miles McBride	4,333,333	3,956,523
9	20	Pacome Dadiet	2,847,600	2,983,680
10	24	Tyler Kolek 	2,191,897	2,296,271
11	28	Landry Shamet	2,296,274	
12	33	Jordan Clarkson	2,296,274	
13	23	Ariel Hukporti 	1,955,377	2,700,000
14	20	Mohamed Diawara	1,272,870	2,400,000
15	24	Kevin McCullar 			2,200,000
16	26	Trey Jemison		
17	24	Dillion Jones		
-------------------------------------------------------------				
		Team Totals	206,675,642	212,866,887
		CAP		154,647,000	166,000,000
		Luxury Tax	188,500,000	207,300,000
		Apron 1		195,947,000	210,330,000
		Apron 2		207,824,000	223,081,000

Clarkson & Dadiet will probably be allowed to walk & moved for cost savings. Deuce potentially could be traded as well. If MO solidifies himself, then that alleviates the need to draft a PF and transfers the need to G/F on rookie scale contract locked in for 3yrs as Shamet will also be hard to retain. Though they could lose Mitch and need to draft a defensive rim running C, but would allow to keep Deuce &/or Shamet.

Of course if they decide to move KAT then that obviously changes the landscape.