Former five-star prospect Dink Pate, who last played with the G League Ignite, will join Mexico City Capitanes for the 2024-25 season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Pate signed with the Ignite in April 2023, becoming the youngest American-born professional basketball player in history. He signed a two-year contract with the team because, at 17 years old, he wouldn’t be draft-eligible until 2025.
The 6-foot-8 guard was forced to find a new team for next season after the NBA opted to shut down the Ignite amid the “changing basketball landscape.” He will now play with Capitanes, who joined the G League in the 2021-22 season.
Pate missed the start of last season due to a foot injury. He was eventually cleared and debuted on Dec. 28, logging four minutes in a loss to Rio Grande Valley. He averaged eight points, 3.8 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 31 appearances.
Prior to joining the Ignite, Pate reclassified to the class of 2023 and graduated early from L.G. Pinkston High School in Dallas, Texas. He was named the 2022-23 District 13-4A Most Valuable Player after averaging 20.3 points per game. He was also on the all-state team.
He was heavily recruited at the collegiate level, receiving over 30 offers from Division I programs. He ultimately chose to sign with the Ignite over Alabama, Arkansas, Memphis and UCF, among others.
Pate is considered a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
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