Dink Pate
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Dink Pate during the 2025 All-Star Rising Stars Game
The New York Knicks continue to uncover upside within their development system, and few prospects are drawing more attention internally or around the league than Dink Pate.
Still just 19 years old, Pate has emerged as a focal point for the Westchester Knicks, flashing the type of all-around production that has begun to turn heads across the G League.
While Westchester’s results have been inconsistent (4-20), Pate’s individual growth has stood out, positioning him as one of the more intriguing long-term developmental bets currently operating at the level.
New York Knicks Watching Breakout Production Take Shape
Pate has taken on a featured role for Westchester this season and delivered accordingly.
Through 24 games, including 20 starts, he’s averaging 18.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 38.2% from the field and 36.1% from three point range.
His production has climbed even further in recent weeks. Over an eight game stretch to open the regular season, Pate has averaged 20.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists while logging heavy minutes, approaching 37 per night.
During that span, his efficiency has taken a notable leap, with his overall shooting rising to 41.1% and his three point accuracy spiking to 46.1% on 11.1 attempts per game.
On January 9 against the Stockton Kings, Pate erupted for 31 points, tying his career-high with eight made three pointers and finishing the night without committing a turnover.
That followed his most complete performance of the season in early December, when he recorded a 37-point triple-double with 11 rebounds and 13 assists against the College Park Skyhawks.
Pate has shown an ability to score at all three levels, rebound above his position and consistently create opportunities for teammates. His substantial workload reflects both his importance to the line-up and the organization’s commitment to accelerating his development.
The young prospect ranks third in the G League in total minutes played (844.3), sits 13th in total points scored (433) and is second in made three-pointers (82).
At 6-foot-8 operating primarily as a guard, Pate’s size, versatility and growing offensive confidence makes him a difficult matchup, particularly given his age and expanding professional experience.
An Unconventional Path With NBA Flexibility
Pate’s rise is rooted in an unconventional career arc. Despite only being 19, he already has three seasons of G League experience.
He became the youngest professional basketball player in United States history when he skipped his final year of high school to turn professional at 17, signing with the G League Ignite.
That decision placed him on a fast-track against older and more physically developed competition, accelerating both his learning curve and exposure.
After stints with Ignite and the Mexico City Capitanes, Westchester acquired Pate’s returning player rights last summer after he went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, following a spell with the Knicks during Summer League.
The organization clearly viewed him as a long-term project with upside rather than a finished product, but that perception may be shifting now.
Across 105 career G League games, Pate holds averages of 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists on modest shooting splits, reinforcing that his current production represents a genuine breakout rather than a continuation of past trends.
Importantly, Pate is currently on a standard G League contract. While the Knicks control his G League rights, he remains free to sign with any NBA team on a two-way, 10-day or standard contract if an opportunity arises.
With New York recently opening a two-way roster spot after waiving Tosan Evbuomwan to avoid his deal becoming guaranteed, Pate’s situation remains fluid.
If his production continues on its current trajectory, Pate’s time in Westchester may serve less as a destination and more as a launch point. Whether that opportunity ultimately comes with the Knicks or another NBA team will depend on how his rapidly emerging upside continues to be evaluated.