Saliou Niang’s path to the NBA has already taken one twist, and now the college stop he picked over Cleveland is the one under the microscope.
The Cavaliers’ No. 58 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft remains in limbo while LSU waits on eligibility clearance for much of its roster. And with the SEC adopting a policy this week that deems players ineligible if they previously declared for the NBA, NFL or WNBA draft and did not withdraw, Niang’s situation suddenly looks worth tracking closely.
He didn’t withdraw. Cleveland drafted him. That’s the complication.
None of that automatically shuts the door on LSU, though. The school is leaning on the courts to clear several players, and Niang still intends to spend the season there and keep developing his game.
Niang made that preference clear in comments to Matteo De Santis of La Stampa: “Choosing college comes from my desire to keep improving and become a more complete player,” Niang told Matteo De Santis of La Stampa. “My relationship with Cleveland is close. I could have gone there this summer, but we are working on a path that will prepare me for the big leap.”
From the Cavaliers’ side, the timing makes the story a little more intriguing. Cleveland has limited spending power after recent roster maneuvering and is expected to use its 14th roster spot on a player whose draft rights it controls. Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report has reported that Khalifa Diop is the name he’s heard tied to that spot, which would make Diop the likelier choice right now.
Still, Zach Weiss of NBA on SI floated another angle: if Niang can’t get cleared at LSU, could Cleveland’s 2025 second-round pick suddenly re-enter the picture? Financially, he could fit.
Niang, 22, spent last season with Virtus Bologna and averaged 7.1 points and 5.0 rebounds in EuroLeague play. He’s currently with Italy for World Cup qualifying.
For now, the plan is LSU first, Cleveland later. The question is whether LSU will actually be able to make that first part happen.
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