Saliou Niang: From Italy to the NBA – Basketball Journey

He started like many children in the area, among the kicks to the ball in the dusty fields and shots in ramshackle baskets at the oratory of Mandello, and then on the Cral field. He was good both with his feet and with his hands but, fortunately, the love for the rebound ball prevailed.

Those who remember the young Saliou Niang at the time of the minibasket, recalls him as a very early talent, player dying with a lean low physique and very long legs. His brother Ibrahim, born in 1986, was aiming for two meters – now it is 206 cm – and therefore it was assumed that the little brother could also grow. But in addition to the physique, what remained impressed by the young basketball player was the attitude, always proactive and smiling, a companion Welcome by everyone, who did not make others weigh his superiority.

Those who shared a nice piece of road with him was Coach Marco Bugana. «I had the privilege of training Saliou for four years between Mandello, Lecco and Fortitudo Bologna. We shared the first important steps: I as a young coach, he as a young talent. They often compared us, and it was a path made of growth, commitment and passion. Saliou has always trained with a smile, facing every challenge with seriousness, attention and great desire to improve. This is not a point of arrival, but a new beginning, from now the bar rises. He has level coaches and an entourage that supports him to the maximum. But above all he has a family that loves him, and I am happy for all of them. I wish him the best. I am, and I will always be, his first fan ».

Another big fan of the wing is Luca Fagetti, current president of the Polisportiva basketball section. “I lived Saliou as a” colleague “because at the time I was still playing – I remember – I’m happy for him and for all the efforts he did because he was not given anything to him, everything he has achieved he deserved it with work and commitment. For us it is an honor who has dressed our uniform, I wish him the best ».