Add another to LSU’s basketball roster.
Saliou Niang has been deemed eligible according to Jon Rothstein of CBSsports. Niang has been with LSU’s program since the summer and practicing with the team during the fall semester. He has not been added to LSU’s official roster page or played in a preseason exhibition.
NEWS: LSU’s Saliou Niang is eligible to compete during the 2026-27 college basketball season, according to multiple sources.
CC: @247Sports, @CBSSportsCBB.
https://t.co/BcjVW72c7R
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 20, 2026
Niang, a 6-foot-8 wing, was a second-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2025 NBA Draft but remained in Europe where he’s played for three professional teams. Most recently, Niang competed for Virtus Bologna in the Italian Liga A where he was named the league Most Improved Player.
He played 38 games in the EuroLeague last season and averaged 7.1 points and 5.0 rebounds. In 27 games in the LBA, he shot 61% from the floor and averaged 9.0 points and 5.1 rebounds. He’s considered an elite athlete and defender with an emerging offensive game.
The 22-year-old was born in Senegal, but grew up in Italy.
