Barcelona's latest soccer sensation: Seeking the Lamine Yamal of Handball – Mohamed Dabone in the spotlight
13-Year-Old Basketball Prodigy Mohamed Dabone Set to Make FC Barcelona Debut
Mohamed Dabone, a 13-year-old basketball sensation, is preparing to make history at FC Barcelona. Born in October 2011, Dabone stands at an impressive 2.10 meters (approximately 6’11”) and has already demonstrated remarkable skills for his age, earning comparisons to Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Achievements and Potential
Dabone has already made a name for himself in the basketball world, with impressive performances in various youth tournaments. In the EuroLeague youth tournament in Abu Dhabi, he averaged 12 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. In the ACB Youth Cup final against Real Madrid prospects, he scored 22 points, grabbed 26 rebounds, and posted an exceptional performance index rating (PIR) of 48. In the international U16 Villa de La Orotava tournament, he scored 31 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and made 4 blocks with a PIR of 45.
Dabone's achievements have generated significant viral exposure, and he is now hailed as one of the most advanced 13-year-olds in basketball internationally.
Joining the Senior Team
For the upcoming season, FC Barcelona will integrate Dabone into their first team alongside other young talents, aiming to give him and fellow teenager Sayon Keita prominent roles and training time with the senior squad. His early promotion to the senior squad at such a young age is unprecedented and indicates the club’s belief in his record-breaking potential.
Given his physical attributes, skills, and early achievements against older competition, Dabone is considered a strong candidate to make significant impacts even in senior-level preseason and competitive games.
Breaking Records
If Mohamed Dabone debuts with Barcelona before June 4, 2026, he would become the youngest player to play a Liga Endesa game, breaking the record held by Bassala Bagayoko. The Liga Endesa is the second oldest regular competition in Spain, behind football.
Preparing for the Preseason
FC Barcelona's preseason begins on September 1, and coach Joan Penarroya will be missing some international players due to Eurobasket and AmeriCup tournaments. Dabone will join the first team dynamics during the preseason due to the lack of available players for Penarroya.
Tornike Shengelia, a veteran power forward, returns to the ACB after his time with Virtus Bologna. Shengelia, who was formed in Valencia Basket's lower categories and debuted professionally in 2009, is two generations older than Dabone.
In summary, Mohamed Dabone is a rare 13-year-old talent with elite size and skill, already dominating youth competitions and about to embark on his record-breaking journey with FC Barcelona’s senior basketball team starting in the 2025 season. His potential to break age-related records and establish himself during the 2023 preseason (likely meaning early senior training exposure) and upcoming seasons is seen as very high by experts and media alike.
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