Saliou Niang

Saliou Niang

No. 7–Virtus Bologna
Position	Shooting guard / small forward
League	LBA EuroLeague
Personal information
Born	(2004-05-14) 14 May 2004 (age 21) Dakar, Senegal
Nationality	Senegalese / Italian
Listed height	1.99 m (6 ft 6 in)
Listed weight	86 kg (190 lb)
Career information
NBA draft	2025: 2nd round, 58th overall pick
Drafted by	Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing career	2021–present
Career history
2021–2023	Fortitudo Bologna
2023–2025	Aquila Basket Trento
2025–present	Virtus Bologna
Career highlights
Italian Cup winner (2025) Italian Lega A Most Improved Player (2025)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals Men's basketball Representing   Italy

Saliou Niang (born 14 May 2004) is a Senegalese-Italian ^[1] professional basketball player for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 58th pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft.

Early life

In 2004, Niang was born in Dakar, Senegal. He moved to Italy at the age of two and spent his childhood in Mandello del Lario, in the province of Lecco . He grew up with his junior team, Fortitudo Bologna, before making his debut for them in 2022. ^[2]

Professional career

Fortitudo Bologna

On 5 May 2022, Saliou Niang made his debut for Fortitudo Bologna, playing one minute off the bench in a six-point victory, where he committed one turnover and failed to record any other stats. In 2023, he signed with Aquila Basket Trento. ^{[2] [3]}

Aquila Basket Trento

After receiving minimal playing time with Fortitudo Bologna, Niang signed with Aquila Basket Trento. He debuted on 29 November 2023 in the Eurocup. In his 2nd outing with the team, he shot 80% from the field, finishing the game with ten points, seven rebounds, and two assists, all of which were career highs. Later in the Lega Serie-A season, he scored a season-high 16 points, all from 2-pointers. ^[4]

Virtus Bologna

On 26 June 2025, Niang was drafted as the 28th pick of the second round (58th overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2025 NBA draft. His selection came as a surprise to many, ^[5] however, it was confirmed that Niang would play for Virtus Bologna, the Italian powerhouse and reigning champions of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). With Virtus, he would make his debut also in the EuroLeague. ^[6]

References

1. https://www.si.com/nba/draft/prospect-profiles/nba-draft-scouting-report-senegal-saliou-niang
2. "SALIOU NIANG Profile | EuroCup". Euroleague Basketball. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
3. "Saliou Niang 2021-22 Lega Basket Serie A UnipolSai Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
4. "Saliou Niang International Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
5. Schuster, Blake; read, For The Win·1 min (27 June 2025). "Who is Saliou Niang? Meet the 2025 NBA Draft's most unexpected pick". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
6. NBA Draft, Saliou Niang scelto alla 58 dai Cleveland Cavaliers. SkySport