Dink Pate: A New Beginning with Mexico City Capitanes
After Making History with the Ignite, Pate Eyes the 2025 NBA Draft
Earlier today, it was announced that Dink Pate, formerly of the G League Ignite, is signing with the Mexico City Capitanes and will remain in the G-League next season.
Last spring, Pate made the bold decision to graduate early from high school and sign a lucrative two-year contract with the Ignite. At just 17 years old, Pate made basketball history as the youngest American professional player ever, surpassing the record set by his Ignite predecessor, Scoot Henderson. The original plan was for Pate to dedicate two years to the Ignite, develop in an NBA setting while learning the NBA rules, and entering the 2025 draft as an automatic entrant.
However, the game plan shifted unexpectedly when the NBA announced the closure of the G League Ignite following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. Launched in 2020, the Ignite program served as an innovative avenue for high school standouts to forgo college and earn a salary while competing against seasoned professionals, all in preparation for the NBA stage.