Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick Saliou Niang led Italy to a win over Iceland on Saturday in its first exhibition ahead of the 2025 EuroBasket Championship in Trento.
Niang produced a game-high 17 points and six rebounds, Simone Fontecchio had 14 points and Gabriele Procida added 12 points in the 87-61 victory at Il T Quotidiano Arena. Niang finished by shooting 8-of-10 from the field in 17 minutes.
Italy will play six preparation games before facing Greece to open the tournament on Aug. 28. In addition to Fontecchio, Niang and Procida, the group is also headlined by former NBA forward Nicolò Melli, who didn’t play on Saturday (rest).
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 neared a double-double on July 13 with six points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Niang will play next season with Virtus Bologna after signing with the team on July 16. He will have the opportunity to continue his development and work toward joining the Cavaliers in the future.