#18 Dink Pate
6'7 | Guard| Mexico City Capitanes | 03/10/2006
Cerebro Player Profile: Dink Pate
Big Board Rankings 1.0 (@ twitter ):
Evaluation by: @codyramseygamebreaknow
12/16/24 Dink Pate is an intriguing prospect due to his potential as a ball-dominant guard standing at 6 '8". Though his time with the G-League Ignite was brief, Pate has since decided to join the Mexico City Capitanes in hopes of improving his draft stock. While this move is strategic, Pate has started the season relatively slow. In 14 games, he has posted just 1.0 points per possession (PPP) in five games, which is concerning. Currently, Pate ranks in the 29th percentile across all possessions this season, with his turnover percentage sitting at a high 19.2% and an assist-to-turnover ratio of just 0.56. These figures are especially troubling for a player projected to be a primary ball handler and offensive initiator, as they suggest inconsistency in his decision-making and ball security.
Despite these struggles, Pate has shown flashes of playmaking ability in spurts, but the overall body of work has been underwhelming. When tasked with pick-and-roll ball handler duties—representing 30.5% of his possessions—he ranks in the 43rd percentile, indicating that he has yet to consistently thrive in this role. However, when placed in a secondary or spot-up role, Pate fares better. He ranks in the 60th percentile for spot-up shooting, converting at a solid 40.5% rate, showing that he can be effective when playing off the ball. This highlights the divergence in his scalability at the next level. While his inefficiency and turnover-prone nature as a primary ball handler are concerns, Pate works well as a secondary initiator within the offensive flow, which could make him a valuable off-ball piece at the next level.
Regarding his jump shot, Pate has shown potential, ranking in the 45th percentile for jump shots this season and converting at a 35.5% rate. Even more impressive is his ability to make tough shots when guarded. He ranks in the 91st percentile for guarded jump shots, converting at a 47.4% rate. While being guarded at the next level will certainly limit his opportunities to take unguarded shots, his ability to make tough, contested jump shots could translate well to the NBA. However, this is a double-edged sword—if Pate’s shot selection becomes more difficult against tougher competition, his efficiency could see a significant drop.
As a downhill finisher, Pate has yet to see significant production, ranking in the 19th percentile with a subpar 48.7% finishing rate at the rim. His inability to convert consistently around the basket raises questions about his ability to score effectively in the paint at the next level. However, his potential as a valuable upside proposition remains, especially if he continues to develop as a secondary ball handler and off-ball contributor. While his appeal as a 6'8" primary initiator has not yet been fully realized, his versatility and upside could make him a worthwhile investment, particularly if he is available in the late first round or early second round.
Defensively, Pate projects as a player who should be able to guard both point guards and shooting guards, and potentially smaller wings at the next level. However, his defensive stats have been mixed. He ranks relatively low against spot-up shooters, placing in the 12th percentile, allowing his opponents to shoot 51.9% against him. This is concerning, as spot-up defense will be a critical aspect of his role in the NBA. On the other hand, Pate has been very effective when defending pick-and-roll ball handlers, ranking in the 82nd percentile, holding his opponents to 33.3% shooting. This is particularly promising, as Pate’s size and length seem to help him disrupt smaller ball handlers when tasked with defending them.
Currently, Pate has accumulated 13 "stocks" (steals + blocks) in 14 games this season. While he is not projected to be a standout defender, his ability to guard at least the guard position with some effectiveness is encouraging. A key area for his development will be his ability to play concentrated team defense, especially if he transitions into more of an off-guard role in the future.
Overall, Pate is a high-risk, high-reward player. His struggles as a primary initiator are concerning, but his size, skill set, and flashes of potential make him an intriguing prospect. If he can continue developing as a secondary ball handler and improve his defensive consistency, he could still carve out a valuable role at the next level. However, it will be important for him to refine his decision-making, shot selection, and defensive abilities to reach his full potential.
10/4/24 Dink Pate made headlines as the youngest player born in the United States to go professional when he signed with the G-League Ignite for the 2023-2024 season. Initially expected to be a multi-year player, his trajectory shifted with the dissolution of the Ignite program. As a result, Pate opted to remain in the G-League, signing with the Mexico City Capitanes for the current season.
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After spending the early part of the G-League season sidelined due to injury, Pate returned to action in the second half, playing in 31 games. Like many of his Ignite peers, his statistical performance this season appears rough at first glance. He averaged 8 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game, with shooting splits of 34.8% from the field, 21.4% from three-point range, and 72.7% from the free-throw line. What makes Pate an intriguing prospect is his excellent positional size for a playmaker, standing at 6’8”. This size allows him to impose himself physically when matched against smaller defenders. As a score-first guard, Pate effectively gets to his preferred spots on the floor while showcasing elite playmaking abilities, which enable him to create opportunities for his teammates. It’s worth noting that he navigated the majority of this season as a 17-year-old competing in a professional league, which adds further context to his development.
While his Ignite experience may not have gone as planned, it provided Pate with invaluable opportunities to develop his game in various ways. He ran the offense for a professional team, spending 32.4% of his possessions as the primary initiator, while also diversifying his skill set by utilizing 22.8% of his possessions in spot-up situations. Looking ahead, if Pate is to project as a lead guard, he will need to refine his passing game. His assist percentage of 23.6% is promising, but his turnover rate of 21.3% resulted in an assist-to-turnover ratio of just 1.4. This inconsistency underscores the need for improvement but also suggests room for growth. The experience he gained at this level is invaluable; had he stayed in high school, he would likely have continued as the primary initiator and scoring option without the same exposure to diverse game situations. Pate has displayed flashes of his ability to penetrate against NBA-caliber talent, though he finished just 44.6% at the rim last season—a figure he will need to improve upon. Where he truly shines is in the mid-range game, showcasing a variety of dribble pull-ups and turnaround moves that can be effective when defenders hedge on his drives.
Defensively, Pate offers versatility and potential, but he has yet to establish himself as an effective or efficient defender. His defensive abilities are still developing due to his youth and limited experience against higher-level competition. At this stage, he should be able to leverage his quickness when guarding smaller guards and use his length to contend with bigger players.
Dink Pate's journey in the G-League has been a mix of challenges and opportunities. His size, playmaking ability, and potential for growth position him as an intriguing prospect for the future. As he continues to adapt to the professional game and refine his skills, Pate has the chance to emerge as a notable player in the coming years.