The Los Angeles Lakers made a clear move on Thursday night during the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, trading up to select Arkansas forward Adou Thiero with the No. 36 overall pick. Originally holding the 55th draft pick, the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to climb the board signals a strong belief in the 6’6″ wing’s potential.
Surrounded by his parents and three younger sisters, Thiero experienced a powerful draft night moment, one that quickly caught attention for all the right reasons.
Adou Thiero Shares a Joyful Moment With Family After Lakers Draft Him at No. 36
The Lakers made it clear they weren’t leaving anything to chance on draft night. According to Shams Charania, they moved up the board twice, first from pick No. 55 to No. 45 and then again to No. 36, specifically to draft Thiero, a promising forward who played college ball at both Kentucky and Arkansas.
Shortly after his name was called, NBA Draft shared a heartwarming video on X showing Thiero seated and surrounded by his beaming family. His parents and younger sisters laughed and hugged him from all sides, creating a wholesome family photo that perfectly captured the weight of the moment.
The celebration was quiet, warm, and full of pride, something that immediately stood out amid the usual chaos of the draft night.
Draft caps for the whole Thiero family pic.twitter.com/rduoQjO8U4
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 27, 2025
Thiero’s 2024-25 season had certainly helped his case: 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals, per game. He left Quaker Valley High School in Pennsylvania as the third all-time leading scorer, once putting up 44 points (school record) in a single game. That kind of production, plus his defensive energy and versatility, made him a valuable second-round target, and the Lakers weren’t willing to wait.
Later in the night, the Lakers posted a behind-the-scenes video capturing more of Thiero’s big moment. In it, the rookie offered a brief but confident message directly to Lakers’ fans:
“What’s up Lakers Nation, Adou Thiero here. Just got drafted by y’all. Let’s get to work. Let’s work.”
Draft night with Adou Thiero pic.twitter.com/NiuBgvREdX
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 27, 2025
That maturity, coupled with his explosive athleticism and drive, likely made Thiero a target for Los Angeles in the first place. The journey behind the draft-night photo and the effort Thiero’s family put into making him NBA-ready made it even more special.
Thiero’s NBA Moment Was Years in the Making for His Immigrant Family
Thiero’s parents, Almamy Thiero and Mariam Sy, both originally from Mali, West Africa, moved to the U.S. in the early 2000s to chase their basketball dreams. They met through the sport, started dating, and then learned they were expecting Adou while still in college.
With limited support and a baby on the way, they made the hard choice to send Adou to Mali temporarily so they could finish their education.
They married in 2004, and by 2007, the family was reunited in the United States. Almamy’s playing career was cut short due to serious injuries and health problems, including blood clots and a torn ACL, but he remained close to the game, founding an AAU program and mentoring young players, including his own kids.
Mariam, meanwhile, was drafted 33rd overall in the 2006 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics but also had her career derailed by injuries.
Despite those setbacks, the couple instilled their values in their children, raising Adou with a deep appreciation for basketball, discipline, and family. He grew up the eldest of four siblings, Oumou, Yassa, and Nadiya, and carried the hopes of a household that had given up much for each other.
So when the Lakers called his name at No. 36, the celebration was more than justified. It was the kind of moment where a family’s entire story seemed to pause and say we made it. As far as the Lakers are concerned, the pick signals belief in Thiero’s two-way upside.
