BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU men's basketball coach Will Wade has received some major news ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Saliou Niang, the talented Italian forward who previously played professionally overseas, has been cleared to compete for LSU by both the NCAA and Southeastern Conference, a source with direct knowledge of the situation tells TigerBait.
Niang, a 6-foot-7 forward from Senegal who developed his game in Italy, was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 58th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. His professional basketball background had raised eligibility questions under NCAA and SEC rules.
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The clearance is a significant development for Wade and the Tigers, who are preparing for their first full season since his return to Baton Rouge.
Niang brings international experience, athleticism and versatility to LSU's roster. His addition gives the Tigers another option on the wing and in the frontcourt as Wade continues assembling his team for the upcoming season.
The decision removes a major eligibility hurdle and clears the way for Niang to suit up for the Tigers.
More on this developing story at TigerBait.com.
