Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick Saliou Niang neared a double-digit scoring effort on Sunday to help Italy defeat Senegal in its second exhibition game ahead of the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Championship.
Momo Diouf produced a game-high 17 points, Gabriele Procida scored 12 points and seven rebounds and Niang added nine points and seven rebounds in the 80-56 victory. The group claimed the Trentino Basket Cup after defeating Iceland on Saturday.
Italy will play four additional preparation games before opening EuroBasket on Aug. 28 against Greece. In addition to Diouf, Niang and Procida, the team is also headlined by Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio and former NBA forward Nicolò Melli.
Niang was the 58th pick in the 2025 NBA draft after averaging 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 51.3% shooting from the field last season with Dolomiti Energia Trento. He helped the team to the Italian Cup and was the Italian Lega A Most Improved Player.
The Senegalese-Italian forward played with the Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League, averaging 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 41.2% shooting from the field in three games. He is expected to play next season with Virtus Bologna after signing with the team on July 16.
Niang and Italy return to action on Saturday against Latvia. They will also play Argentina (Aug. 14), Latvia (Aug. 21) and Greece (Aug. 22) in their final tune-up games before the 42nd edition of the European tournament.