# Dink Pate
**Dink Pate** (born 2006) is an American professional basketball guard for the [Westchester Knicks](https://www.edgepedia.org/westchester-knicks) of the [NBA G League](https://www.edgepedia.org/nba-g-league), affiliated with the [New York Knicks](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-york-knicks). A Dallas native, he signed with the G League Ignite in 2023 at 17 years old, becoming the youngest known professional basketball player in United States history, a mark previously held by Scoot Henderson.[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) • [2](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36217888/recruit-dink-pate-signs-nba-g-league-ignite-program)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2006, Texas; listed at 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) |
| High school | L.G. Pinkston (West Dallas); 20.3 points per game in 2022-23, District MVP and All-State[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) |
| Historic debut | Joined G League Ignite in 2023 at 17, the youngest known pro in U.S. basketball history[2](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36217888/recruit-dink-pate-signs-nba-g-league-ignite-program) |
| Ignite season | 8.0 points (35/21/73 shooting splits), 3.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds in 23.6 minutes over 31 games (20 starts)[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) |
| Capitanes season | 10 points (41/26/58), 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists in 27 minutes over 34 games, all starts[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) |
| 2025 draft | Undrafted; signed with the New York Knicks in June 2025[3](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/dink-pate-firma-con-los-new-york-knicks-n/) |
| 2025-26 | Westchester Knicks: 16.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game[4](https://gleague.nba.com/player/1641825/dink-pate) |
## Early life and high school
Pate was born and raised in Texas and attended L.G. Pinkston [High School](https://www.edgepedia.org/high-school) in West Dallas. In the 2022-23 season he averaged 20.3 points per game, was named District MVP, and earned All-State Team honors; the G League profile also records his selection to the UIL Boys 4A All-Region Team.[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) • [4](https://gleague.nba.com/player/1641825/dink-pate) He was rated a five-star recruit in the class of 2024 and had college options that included Alabama, but he chose to forgo his final year of high school for a professional path.[3](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/dink-pate-firma-con-los-new-york-knicks-n/) • [4](https://gleague.nba.com/player/1641825/dink-pate)
## G League Ignite
In 2023, at 17 years old, Pate signed with the G League Ignite, the NBA's developmental pathway team for elite draft prospects, and by doing so surpassed [Scoot Henderson](https://www.edgepedia.org/scoot-henderson) as the youngest professional basketball player in United States history; ESPN reported he was five weeks younger than Henderson had been when he turned professional in 2021.[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) • [2](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36217888/recruit-dink-pate-signs-nba-g-league-ignite-program) During his only season with Ignite, 2023-24, Pate appeared in 31 games, starting 20, and averaged 8.0 points per contest on 35/21/73 shooting splits to go with 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds over 23.6 minutes a game.[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate)
The NBA shut down the Ignite program after the 2023-24 season. Pate sought a waiver to enter the 2024 [NBA draft](https://www.edgepedia.org/nba-draft) on the grounds that the program had folded, but he was ruled ineligible and had to wait until 2025.[5](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/prospect-profiles/nba-draft-scouting-report-g-league-dink-pate)
## Mexico City Capitanes
After the Ignite's closure, Pate signed with the G League's Mexico City Capitanes for the 2024-25 season. Across 34 appearances, all starts, he averaged 10 points on 41/26/58 shooting, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 27 minutes per game; his three-point shooting improved markedly from his Ignite season.[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) Spanish-language coverage of the signing described him as one of the Capitanes' most exciting young prospects with a high projection for the next draft.[6](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/capitanes-cdmx-anuncia-roster-para-temporada-2024-25-de-nba-g-league-n/)
## Draft and New York Knicks
Pate was not selected in the 2025 NBA draft, but the New York Knicks agreed to a contract with him in June 2025, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony. At just over 19 years old with two professional seasons in the G League, he was regarded as one of the more intriguing undrafted additions available.[3](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/dink-pate-firma-con-los-new-york-knicks-n/) Analysis of the fit noted that the Knicks' guard rotation was already well stocked, making Pate a developmental talent for the longer term.[3](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/dink-pate-firma-con-los-new-york-knicks-n/)
In the 2025-26 season he played for the Knicks' Westchester affiliate, averaging 16.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.[4](https://gleague.nba.com/player/1641825/dink-pate)
## Playing style
Pate is a jumbo guard who at 6-foot-8 plays like a guard, with a wingspan measured at 6 feet, 9.75 inches at the 2025 draft combine, where he also recorded a 24.5-inch standing vertical, a 32.5-inch max vertical, and a 3.29-second three-quarter sprint.[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) • [8](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/29596175/dink-pate/) NBA.com's draft profile described him as at his best in transition, a fluid ballhandler and passer for his size who did not project as a primary NBA playmaker, and a defender with the size and athleticism to be elite who needed to be more engaged.[1](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate) Scouting coverage in 2024 credited him with lead-guard skills, three-level scoring upside, and the size to guard two or three positions, while noting his efficiency and consistency as areas to develop.[5](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/prospect-profiles/nba-draft-scouting-report-g-league-dink-pate) • [8](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/29596175/dink-pate/)
## References
1. [Dink Pate, 2025 NBA Draft Profile, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/dink-pate)
2. [Recruit Dink Pate signs with NBA's G League Ignite program, ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36217888/recruit-dink-pate-signs-nba-g-league-ignite-program)
3. [Dink Pate firma con los New York Knicks, Diario AS](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/dink-pate-firma-con-los-new-york-knicks-n/)
4. [Dink Pate, NBA G League player page](https://gleague.nba.com/player/1641825/dink-pate)
5. [NBA Draft Scouting Report: G League's Dink Pate, Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/prospect-profiles/nba-draft-scouting-report-g-league-dink-pate)
6. [Capitanes CDMX anuncia roster para temporada 2024-25 de NBA G League, Diario AS](https://as.com/us/baloncesto/capitanes-cdmx-anuncia-roster-para-temporada-2024-25-de-nba-g-league-n/)
7. [Dink Pate, Men's Basketball Roster, Providence College Athletics](https://friars.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dink-pate/11655)
8. [Dink Pate, News, Stats, Bio, CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/29596175/dink-pate/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Basketball and court team sports › Basketball players and coaches (biographies) › Men's college players*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license