Born and raised in France, Mohamed Diawara has never forgotten his roots. The son of Malian parents, he carries his African heritage as a daily driving force, a pride he asserts both on the court and in his vision of basketball and life.

“It’s important for me to represent where my parents come from,” he told Seneweb in an exclusive interview. “I carry that pride with me every day.”

 

His journey reflects this blend of patience, hard work, and resilience. Trained at INSEP, a veritable breeding ground for French basketball talent, Diawara joined Paris Basketball in 2021, before continuing his development in Poitiers and then Cholet. Early on, his potential attracted attention beyond France's borders. During the summer of 2022, he was named best player at the Basketball Without Borders camp in Milan, ahead of FIBA and NBA scouts. With the French youth national teams, he established himself on the international stage, winning bronze at the U17 World Cup in 2022 and then gold at the U20 EuroBasket in 2024.

Today, Diawara is living what he describes as a childhood dream come true: the NBA.

"It's been a goal of mine since I was little," he explains simply. "And to experience it from the inside is incredible."

Between the Knicks' NBA roster and stints in the G League, this first season allowed him to gradually discover the demands of the highest level while continuing to develop, surrounded by players he had watched on television a few years earlier. But what impressed him most, beyond the skill level, was the team spirit.

In a locker room interview, the 20-year-old forward explained that he draws inspiration from last season's rookies and players at his position, notably Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. He also mentioned Deuce McBride, who overheard the comment, approached him with a smile, and jokingly thanked him. This spontaneous scene perfectly illustrates the camaraderie among the New York Knicks, built on respect, humility, and the passing down of knowledge between generations.

His dream is now clear: to progress in the American league and win.

"My goal is to improve, to stay here as long as possible, and to win a title."

To young people who dream of following the same path, Mohamed offers a simple message, true to his own journey: work, every day. Because, as he repeats without hesitation, there's no secret: only hard work pays off.