The 21-year-old forward stood out in his first EuroLeague appearance
Saliou Niang makes a statement on his EuroLeague debut
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There was plenty of anticipation surrounding how Virtus Bologna forward Saliou Niang would adapt to the EuroLeague level following a strong showing at EuroBasket 2025 with the Italian national team. On Tuesday night, Niang left no doubt about his talent, refined skill set, and high ceiling, delivering an impressive performance to lead Virtus to a 74–68 opening-night win over Real Madrid.
Niang came off the bench early in the first quarter and needed a few minutes to settle in. His first basket – a tip-in that brought Virtus within 14–19 at the end of the opening period – marked the beginning of a confident display. He soon Euro-stepped his way to the rim for a smooth driving layup, making a tough move look effortless. Later in the second quarter, he repeated the move, this time finishing through heavy contact.
Just after halftime, Niang found space for a backdoor slam before heading to the bench for a breather. He played the entire fourth quarter and delivered the game’s biggest highlight: a powerful dunk over Gabriel Deck that gave Virtus a 68–61 lead with just over two minutes remaining. Real made a late push and even had a chance to tie, but Virtus held firm down the stretch.
Niang finished with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting from two-point range, along with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal for a game-high PIR of 16.
“It was a crazy night. I was a little bit nervous – it was my first time in the EuroLeague – but it went really well and I’m very happy,” Niang said after the game. “I’m very proud of the team. Now we have to stay focused and keep pushing.”
Niang has immediately positioned himself as one of the top contenders for the EuroLeague Rising Star award this season. Born in Dakar, Senegal, he moved to Italy at the age of two and developed through Fortitudo Bologna’s youth system. After two seasons with Dolomiti Energia Trento, he’s now ready for bigger challenges and remains committed to daily improvement.
“I just try to help my teammates, bring energy to the court, and do the little things that help the team. That’s what I do,” Niang said. “I’m very happy – it gives me even more energy to keep pushing and keep doing what I’m doing.”