Cleveland Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey confirmed that Saliou Niang, the 58th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, will play for Virtus Bologna next season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Senegalese-Italian forward Saliou Niang with the 58th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Although Niang is not expected to join the Cavaliers next season, General Manager Mike Gansey confirmed that the young forward will take a significant step in his career by competing in the EuroLeague.
"He will stay overseas this upcoming year," Gansey said of Niang during his post-draft media availability.
"The hope is he'll be able to play Summer League with us. The Italian national team is playing in [FIBA] EuroBasket in August, September, so he could potentially be a part of that as well, which would be great for him."
"But he will stay in Italy next year and play with Virtus Bologna, a EuroLeague team. So it'll be a great opportunity for him to play at the highest level over there, and we'll be tracking him," he added.
Niang will be switching teams within Italy after spending the past season with Dolomiti Energia Trento, where he averaged 6.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in the EuroCup.
He also earned Italian League Most Improved Player honors, posting 8.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the domestic competition.
