Mohamed Dabone Scouting Report
At just 13, young phenom Mohamed Dabone is shaking up the basketball world.
Basic Profile & Physical Traits
Name: Mohamed Dabone
Height: Approximately 6'11" (2.10 m)
Nationality: Burkina Faso
Team: Youth center for FC Barcelona — now elevated to the senior team for preseason training and development
When I first heard his name, I was intrigued. But when I found out his age, my jaw dropped—13 years old? Born on October 21, 2011. At first, I thought, no way… there’s no way this kid is only 13. But after digging in and doing some research, it turns out he is. A 13-year-old playing professional basketball is almost unheard of. You’d expect someone that young to be a lanky, uncoordinated project, but after watching his film, you see the exact opposite—skill, poise, and confidence well beyond his years. I’m still in awe looking at his tape.
Offense
The central theme of this article is simple but striking—his age and just how far ahead of the curve he already is. At only 13 years old and standing 6’10”, this kid isn’t just tall—he’s remarkably coordinated for his size and age. Most players of his height at this stage are still developing physically, often struggling with balance, agility, or fluidity. But that’s not the case here. He moves with a natural ease, displaying footwork and mobility that are usually only seen in players much older and more developed.
Athletically, he’s top-tier. There’s a noticeable bounce in his step, with plenty of life in his legs, allowing him to explode off the floor with almost no effort. That quick lift gives him an edge on both ends of the floor—whether finishing lobs, contesting shots, or cleaning up on the glass. One of his most underrated skills is his ability to run the floor effectively. As a rim runner, he’s not just filling space—he’s actively changing the pace of the game. Thanks to his long strides and surprising speed, he’s often the very first player down the court, putting constant pressure on the defense in transition.
For someone this young, the blend of size, coordination, and athletic instincts is rare. It’s what makes him stand out—not just as a prospect to watch, but as a player who already looks like he belongs on the floor against much older competition.
Finishing/ Rebounding
This young Dabone dominates the court with his unique combination of explosiveness and power, a level of athleticism and authority that is rare in most 13-year-old big men. His authoritative finishes, whether it’s dunking through contact, cleaning up a miss, or overpowering a defender, are a testament to his dominance. His quick rise and forceful finishes make him a constant threat near the rim. His dominance in action in these clips: his athleticism and offensive rebounding on full display.
What really sets him apart is the way he attacks the offensive glass. Having a 7’4” wingspan definitely gives him an edge—he can reach over defenders and extend for boards most guys can’t touch—but it’s more than just length. It’s his motor, his timing, and his refusal to quit on a play that make him so tough to deal with. He doesn’t just wait for the ball to bounce his way; he hunts it down, fights through bodies, and constantly finds ways to steal extra possessions for his team. That effort wears opponents down and sets the tone for everyone around him.
At his age, most young bigs lean on their size and athletic advantage, but he’s already showing the instincts of a seasoned rebounder. Pair that mindset with his physical tools, and you’ve got a player who impacts the game well beyond what you’d expect from someone this early in his career.
Hands and Soft Touch around the rim
For most young big men, simply catching the ball cleanly can be a struggle. The game moves fast, hands aren’t always reliable, and decision-making takes time to develop. But that’s not the case with Dabone. The moment the ball touches his hands, he looks comfortable and decisive. He doesn’t waste dribbles or movement—he knows exactly what he wants to do, whether that’s finishing strong at the rim, making a quick move into the paint, or swinging the ball back out to reset the offense.
What makes this so impressive is how natural it all looks. There are times you get the sense he’s not even consciously processing—he’s just reacting and playing off pure instinct and natural ability. He’s still raw in certain areas, sure, but he’s advanced enough to impact the game in ways players his age rarely can.
One of his most promising traits is his touch around the rim. For a player his size and age, the ability to finish softly is rare. He has a feel for angles, knows how to adjust mid-air, and doesn’t always rely on brute force to get the job done. That said, there’s still room for refinement. His footwork can be sloppy at times, and he occasionally forgets the importance of squaring his shoulders and body to the basket on his shot attempts. These are teachable details that will come with reps, coaching, and maturity.
Still, his size and length give him such a unique advantage that mistakes hardly slow him down. Standing tall with his wingspan, he can simply shoot right over the top of defenders, making it nearly impossible to contest his looks. Combine that with his coordination, touch, and raw instincts, and you’re looking at a young big man who already has the foundation of an elite offensive weapon.
Shooting
The potential as a shooter is definitely there, but he’ll need to put in work to reach it. His jumper isn’t broken—mechanically it looks solid, and his release point is fine. What he really needs is consistent time in the gym, getting up repetitions to build rhythm and confidence. His form does drift slightly to the side of his face, which isn’t textbook, but it’s functional for now. With refinement and steady development, his shot could evolve into a real weapon.
Defense
On the defensive end, he’s still a work in progress. His frame is on the leaner side, which makes it challenging for him to hold his position against stronger, more polished bigs, though he never shies away from the battle. The bigger hurdle right now is the mental side of defense. Experienced players in his league know how to bait him—using fakes, body positioning, and physical play to draw fouls and put him in tough spots. That said, these are typical growing pains for a young big, and with more reps and maturity, he has the tools to figure it out and become much more reliable on that end.
Blocking shots
He projects as a future elite shot blocker. His timing is already impressive for his age, and when you combine that with his relentless motor and incredibly long arms, he has all the ingredients to be a major rim protector. He doesn’t just rely on his size—he has the instinct to track the ball, the quickness to react, and the energy to challenge every attempt around the basket.
With continued development, he has the potential to become the kind of defensive anchor that changes games. That said, the foundation is there. His size, length, and mobility give him the tools to become a disruptive force on the defensive end eventually. Right now, it’s about adding strength, learning positioning, and developing the discipline not to bite on every fake. With time and coaching, those weaknesses will turn into areas of growth. The mistakes he’s making today are the same ones almost every young big man goes through—what matters is that he has the raw tools and the motor to correct them.
Once his body fills out and he adds strength, good luck trying to score on him. With his natural timing, quickness, and elite physical measurables, he has all the tools to develop into a formidable defender. Right now, he’s still growing into his frame. Still, the flashes are undeniable—his ability to close space, recover quickly, and contest shots already hints at the type of defensive presence he can become. As he matures physically and gains more experience, those instincts, paired with his length and mobility, should allow him to anchor a defense and make life miserable for opponents in the paint.
Development & Projection
He was elevated to FC Barcelona's senior team for preseason—not with the expectation of significant minutes, but as a developmental opportunity to practice alongside top Euro League talent. This proved valuable, as he got a chance to showcase his raw ability alongside another elite big man, Sayon Keita, who is already drawing attention from all the blue-blood programs. The recruiting race for Dabone's services could become one of the most compelling battles we've seen in years. While he still has time before fully navigating the hustle and intensity of the recruiting trail, his experience with Barcelona should give him a strong foundation and prepare him for what's ahead. This kid has the potential to become one of the next generation's top players in the NBA. By the time he's college-eligible, the "straight-to-NBA" rule for high school-aged players might be in effect, and many project him to make that leap, depending on the rules in place. His combination of size, mobility, and raw potential makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the world.
Age
I couldn’t care less about his age or the speculation surrounding it. There are numerous conflicting reports, and eventually, the truth will emerge. What matters is that a 13-year-old prospect like him is truly one of a kind, so naturally, he’s going to face intense scrutiny. At the pro level, age becomes irrelevant—you’re competing against players of all ages, and the only real focus is being prepared to go up against whoever is in front of you at any given time.
Final Thoughts
Only a handful of players have entered the NBA and truly revolutionized the game—and Dabone has the tools to be the next one. He projects as one of the rare generational talents, with a skill set that already has scouts buzzing. By the time he’s college-eligible, the “straight-to-NBA” rule could be back in effect, and many believe he can bypass college entirely if that path is available. His unique blend of size, mobility, and untapped potential makes him one of the most fascinating prospects on the global stage.