Ismaël Kamagate

Ismaël Sindou Kamagate (born 17 January 2001) is an Ivorian-French professional basketball player for Pallacanestro Varese of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). His draft rights are retained by the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Early life and career Kamagate was born in the 19th arrondissement of Paris to Ivorian parents. He grew up playing football as a goalkeeper, which he did not enjoy, before being introduced to basketball by age 11 at the Jeunesse Athlétique de Montrouge. In 2017, he started a two-season stint with Orléans Loiret, competing for the club's under-18 and second teams. In his first season with the club, he split playing time between the Pro B and with Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball in the Nationale Masculine 1. In the 2021–22 season, his team was promoted to the LNB Pro A and he assumed a greater role. On 9 October 2021, Kamagate posted 18 points, nine blocks and five rebounds in a 98–97 loss to Chorale Roanne. He became the fifth player in league history with at least nine blocks in a game and was one short of Derrick Lewis' record (10). Kamagate was selected to play in the LNB All-Star Game, where he was the youngest player. He was named LNB Pro A Best Defender for the season.

On 16 August 2022, Kamagate, along with other Frenchman draftee Juhann Begarin returned for another year with the Paris Basketball.

On 19 July 2023, Kamagate signed a two-year deal with Italian powerhouse Olimpia Milano. On 16 January 2024, he was loaned to Derthona Basket. On June 28, 2024, it was announced, his loan contract with Derthona Basket has been extended for one more year.

On July 11, 2025, Kamagate signed with Beşiktaş Gain of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi.

On July 29, 2026, he signed with Pallacanestro Varese of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).

NBA rights On 22 April 2022, Kamagate declared for the 2022 NBA draft, where analysts considered him a possible first-round pick.

On 23 June 2022, Kamagate was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 46th pick. He was then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and then to the Denver Nuggets. On 8 February 2024, his rights were acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers. On 20 August 2026, his rights were acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a five-team trade.

National team career Kamagate represented France at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship in Greece, where he averaged 4.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. At the 2021 FIBA U20 European Challengers, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.

Career statistics

EuroLeague