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Basketball’s 13-year-old (?) generational prospect…

Kyle Nowak, Peter Nowak

26 Aug 2025 — 3 min read

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The curious case of generational basketball prospect Mohamed Dabone

Mohamed Dabone is quickly becoming one of the most hyped young basketball prospects in history—one that many say could even challenge King James for his seat on ~~Dabone~~ da throne.

For the past year and a half, the now-13-year-old (!) Burkina Faso native has been putting up eye-popping numbers against elite—and much older—competition while playing for Spanish basketball club FC Barcelona’s development team.

Dabone scored 21 points in his Adidas Next Gen U18 debut last year at age 12.
He also earned Finals MVP honors in the U16 Villa de La Orotava International Tournament months later, following a 31-point, 19-rebound performance.

Dabone’s statistics are almost unheard of for someone that young, leading many to call him one of the best young players in history.

He currently measures 6’11” tall with a wingspan that reportedly exceeds 7’4”, inspiring the nickname “Wemby Antetokounmpo” after two current lanky NBA stars. Similarly, scouts also say Dabone possesses rare athleticism and skill for someone his size, showing elite speed, explosive leaping ability, and great body control (see for yourself).

But his actual age has been a hot topic of debate

While Dabone is listed as 13 years old on his official Euroleague profile, analysts say legitimate questions about his age remain unanswered.

He was born during a period of political instability in Burkina Faso, which can often throw official government processes like obtaining a birth certificate into flux. Dabone hasn’t publicly produced any official birth-related documents.
There’s also the eye test—with many scouts saying it’s hard to believe someone so athletic and fluid can be 13 years old.

It wouldn’t be the first instance of age discrepancy

…or even the 100th. Famous examples include Benchwarmers (“I am 12”), as well as:

Danny Almonte, who led The Bronx to a third-place finish at the 2001 Little League World Series, but was later found to be two years older than the limit of 12.
Tanguy Ngombo, a Congolese-born basketball player who was drafted by the Timberwolves in the second round in 2011. His listed age was 21, but the Wolves soon found out he was actually almost 27.
Bishop Sycamore, a fake US high-school football program that was exposed in 2021 following a nationally televised 58-0 loss to IMG Academy, had several players who were well past the age of eligibility.
Cameroon’s U17 soccer squad, which has had dozens of players disqualified for being overage over the past decade. This includes 21 of the team’s 30 original players in 2023—and 11 of the replacement selections.
Cesar Altagracia, a top MLB prospect from the Dominican Republic who agreed last year to join the San Diego Padres for a reported $4M at age 14, but had his contract pulled after a league investigation found he was actually 19.

But…When it comes to Dabone, analysts say there may not ever be any conclusive evidence of official documentation proving his age one way or the other.

And even if some does pop up, it may not matter all that much. From NBA Draft Room: “If Dabone is [13] years old he’s the best player that age in history. If he’s 16 he’s a special talent who could be one of the top picks in the 2027 draft.”

Looking ahead: Dabone is currently on track to be eligible for the 2030 NBA Draft, should no new age-related information arise. He’ll reportedly join Barcelona’s first team next season.

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