Official: Niang with LSU on super team, but in America there's controversy

Saliou Niang will play in the NCAA next season, it is now official. From the United States came the confirmation of the Italian national team winger’s agreement with LSU: the American media relaunched it. Niang will thus land in the summer at Louisiana State University, which is setting up a very important team with several already professional players.

We are talking about a top-level roster with Marcio Santos coming from Maccabi Tel Aviv, former NBA RJ Luis, Yam Madar and Brice Dessert, former Efes. Precisely the arrival of professional and already established players is causing discussion on social media insiders and fans who are ironic about the average age of the team: according to many, several of these players will not be considered eligible to play in the NCAA championship.

Niang, 22, was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 58 pick (second round) at the 2025 NBA Draft. This season he has averaged 9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in the Italian league, and 7.1 points with 5 rebounds averaged in 21.6 minutes in the Euroleague.

The Blue reportedly struck a deal for about $5 million gross plus a series of clauses that would allow him to go up to $7 million. He will work under the supervision of the Cleveland Cavaliers during his collegiate experience.