Born on October 21, 2011, in Burkina Faso in West Africa, the Dabone family has a rich history in sports. His father, Ibrahim Dabone, is a former amateur basketball player, while his mother, Fatoumata Dabone, was a professional volleyball player before transitioning to a career in sports management. He has two siblings older brother, Kader Dabone, who is also a basketball player, and a younger sister, Aissatou Dabone who is also an athlete.
Dabone’s journey in basketball began when he was seven years old at a local youth club where his stellar defensive skills and ball-handling techniques quickly made him standout. His coaches and teammates soon recognized his potential, and he began to attract attention from scouts and basketball academies across Europe. He joined FC Barcelona and quickly at the age of 10; he was already competing in age groups significantly older than his own.
He took the internet by storm after he led his team to the finals against Real Madrid, with a record of scoring 22 points, 26 rebounds, five steals, and six blocks, and ended the match with a final score of 89-78. Apart from his skills his impressive, his height is another reason for his popularity. Even though most of the basketball players are above 7 feet, him being just a 13-year-old and having a 6-foot-10-inch height is what shocks everyone.
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Due to his height, people often compare him to Victor Wembanyama, the French star who stands at 7 feet and 4 inches, making him one of the tallest basketball players. Dabone, who is only 6 inches shorter than Wembanyama, has earned the nickname “Baby Wemby” from people. His amazing height and skills set makes him compare to Victor.
Comparisons to Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 French player, has been the focal point in the French and San Antonio Spurs basketball. Victor, Known for his shot-blocking, rebounding, and offensive prowess, has set a top bar for young basketball players. Mohamed Dabone’s comparison to Wembanyama, despite being 6 inches shorter, highlights the high expectations placed on him.
Despite not being as tall as Wembanyama, Dabone’s skills and potential have led to positive comparisons. Both players share a similar drive and work ethic, which is crucial for their development. The combination of his early achievements and the anticipation surrounding his future suggests he may be on a similar path as Wembanyama.
As Baby Wemby continues to develop, the basketball community will be closely watching his progress. His current achievements and skills are promising, but the path to becoming a top-level player like Wembanyama is continuous improvement and adaptation. Determining Dabone’s potential in the sport will heavily rely on his work ethic and dedication.
In Europe, basketball academies and clubs are keenly interested in nurturing young talent, and Dabone is no exception. Now, another question raised is what can Adam Silver do for the NBA’s development in Europe.
Adam Silver Plans for Europe
Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner, during his time in the Paris Olympics, noticed people wearing various NBA jerseys, including the old ones and the iconic ones. While giving an interview during the Olympics, he said, “Again, it reminds me just what the opportunity is here,”. Recognizing the NBA’s growth outside the US and growing basketball talent and fan base in Europe, the NBA has already introduced games like the NBA Europe Live Tour and the NBA Global Games which are played outside the United States and Canada.
This grows the excitement of live NBA action to European audiences and growth of other sports other than football and tennis. There are more grassroots programs and talent development across Europe, like the Jr. NBA and the Jr. WNBA Europe. It aims to nurture young players and build stronger connections with local basketball communities across Europe.
Silver plans to use Europe’s basketball culture to enhance the league’s global reputation and appeal. The NBA plans to strengthen its global presence and access Europe’s talented basketball players by expanding and engaging with European fans. This strategic approach is designed to create a lasting impact and broaden the league’s influence beyond North America.
As the NBA continues to grow and develop, the basketball world will be watching with great interest. Mohamed Dabone is a rising star in basketball and has the potential to make a big impact in the future. For now, fans and scouts alike will be eagerly following his journey, hoping to witness the rise of one of Europe’s most promising young players.
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