Top Draft Prospect Dink Pate Reveals Spurs Wemby Wish

Guard Dink Pate is one of the more exciting prospects in the draft. At 6-8, he is oversized for a point guard and uses his size to find the open man and force his way to the basket.

He took an unconventional route to the draft process, signing with the now-defunct G League Ignite when he was just 17 years old. Now in his second G League season, he is averaging 10.5 points and 1.6 assists in 22 games with the Mexico City Capitanes.

While his numbers don't reflect it yet, he prides himself on his ability to be a floor general and lift up his teammates. His on-ball defense, like with most young guards, could use some work, but he isn't worried about that, especially if he ends up in his ideal landing spot.

"I think San Antonio would be a good spot for me. To learn from CP3, because he's one of the greatest, in my opinion. I know Steph Castle. And Wemby, just put me with another all-time general, which is you got a 6'8 guard with another 7-foot-whatever, I think that'll make a great program." -Dink Pate

Like most point guards, Pate idolizes and respects what Chris Paul has accomplished, and would prefer the Spurs re-sign him for another season if they draft him. 

Pate has made it clear that he wants to be a day-one starter, but after spending two seasons in the G League, he knows there is a lot he has to learn, and he's willing to put in the work.

If Paul is still in town, the youngster would defer to the elder, more accomplished player. If Paul is playing elsewhere, Pate would happily throw his hat in the ring to be the Spurs' starting point guard next to Stephon Castle in the backcourt. 

"Whatever it is, man, I'm ready to step to the occasion and I'm ready to show my worth."

Pate, right now, is generally considered a top 15-20 draft prospect, although as the G League season goes on, he expects his stock to rise.

He is participating in the third season of The Break, presented by The General, a docuseries narrated by Shaquille O'Neal that follows up-and-coming players and G League stars. He hopes that the documentary will help tell his personal story and raise his draft stock, and he's made it clear where he believes he can be selected.

"The Break, presented by The General has definitely been helping me and it's been pushing my status high and getting my name out there. I see a lot of comments of like, 'Oh, I don't know who this is, but he good.' They're going to find out sooner or later on this."

Pate admits that he might not be in the "numero uno" pick conversation quite yet, but he's making it a goal be be considered a top-five pick in the draft. 

Once he gets selected, however, he aims to be the Rookie of the Year and be an All-Star by year five, making sure "my name has left a stamp or a mark in this game of basketball."

An oversized and young starting five of Wembanyama, Castle, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Dink Pate would have a very high ceiling, it's just a matter of finding players who can win around Wemby.