Saliou Niang: behind the scenes of the Cavaliers' Draft pick and the future of the Italian prospect

Saliou Niang breathed NBA air for the first time just a week ago with his selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, joining the exclusive group of Italians who have ever been picked on draft night. On this special occasion, we spoke with Andrea Grossi, the player’s agent, who was by his side when NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum called his name.
“Having the honor of working with two of the only twelve Italians ever drafted into the NBA—Saliou and Nico [Mannion]—is a great source of pride for me. The Draft represents the ultimate dream for any young athlete, and the fact that only twelve Italians have ever achieved it shows how difficult it truly is. At the same time, it’s important to remember that the Draft is not a final destination, but rather a starting point,” Grossi, the Italian director of Wasserman Basketball, told us. “The emotions we experienced were indescribable. In my role, I constantly resonate with the players’ feelings. In the days leading up to the Draft, Saliou’s tension and excitement were palpable. And then that night—hearing his name, the explosion of joy—it was a moment that will be etched in memory forever. He and his family absolutely earned it. For me, contributing to a young man’s success and sharing in his family’s joy is the most noble and rewarding part of my job.”

Behind the NBA Draft and the Road to Selection
Grossi also shared with us what goes on behind the scenes of the much-anticipated event that all great players pass through, including the selection process and the agent's role. He also explained how the Cleveland Cavaliers came to choose Niang:
“The NBA Draft is a complex process that requires careful planning and constant communication with teams. It’s not a matter of luck or coincidence, as some might think. Contact with NBA teams starts during the season, followed by the real ‘Draft Process’—with targeted workouts in the U.S., usually with 3 or 4 franchises that show the most interest.
You can withdraw from the Draft up until June 15, but we decided to stay in, confident thanks to great interviews and assurances from multiple teams that Saliou would be selected.

Thanks to the work of the entire Wasserman Basketball agency and my colleagues Sead Galijasevic and Jelani Floyd, Saliou was able to approach the process with great clarity. We had a good sense of how things would play out about ten days before the Draft. Cleveland was always the team we had the best connection with, and they clearly communicated a project for Saliou’s growth.
Of course, on Draft night anything can change—trades, last-minute decisions, surprise calls. But with careful management and strong relationships, a lot of the process can be controlled. Only by going through it personally can an athlete truly understand how unique this moment is.”

A Breakout Year in Trento and Growing NBA Interest
Niang had a breakout second season in Trento, and it didn’t take long for the NBA to take notice. Month by month, the NBA option became more and more realistic.
“Around November or December, we started to understand that this opportunity was real. NBA scouts had noticed Saliou’s development, also thanks to the excellent work done by Aquila Basket Trento. Some key moments were decisive: winning the award for Best Italian Player in the Italian Cup, being named Most Improved Player and Best Defender at the Eurocamp in Treviso. Throughout the season, we received positive feedback from teams, and we realized Saliou could really have a shot,” added Grossi, who pointed out that despite this, only in the final days did they receive confirmation of the selection.

There was even a behind-the-scenes twist: multiple options were on the table.
“The most important confirmation came on June 15. A few days earlier, we already knew he would be picked, and in the end, we were in a position to choose among multiple options. We decided not to accept Milwaukee at 47 or the Knicks at 51, and instead put all our focus on Cleveland, with whom we had a real agreement and a mutual desire to embark on this journey together.”

Summer League and the Road Ahead: Niang’s NBA Future
In the short term, Niang’s future remains in the U.S., where he’ll play Summer League with the Cavaliers. Grossi believes Saliou has everything it takes to succeed in the NBA.
“If he doesn’t have what it takes, I really don’t know who does. But now it’s crucial to reset everything and go back to work as if nothing happened, focusing on the aspects of his game that are vital for NBA basketball. Summer League will be a first test, but we must remember that it’s still a level far from the real NBA. With Cleveland, we’re designing a technical and physical development plan so that Saliou can be fully ready to enter that world within a couple of years.”

Next stop: Virtus Bologna
Before reaching that goal, however, there will be a stop in Bologna, as Virtus has long decided to bet on him.
“For us, the EuroLeague was the perfect intermediate step. It’s an extremely demanding competition—lots of games, travel, and a high physical toll. From the very start, we were excited by Virtus Bologna’s project, especially thanks to the clear commitment from Coach Ivanovic and GM Paolo Ronci to guide Saliou in his development.
We believe Ivanovic can bring out the best in his energy and defensive talent while also working on areas that need improvement. The Virtus environment, with its passionate fanbase, will give him an extra push. We know it won’t be easy—we’ve never had the arrogance to think otherwise. But we’re ready to work, as always: Saliou with his determination, and us at his side to create the best possible conditions for success.”