He would have loved to be the hero of this first round of playoffs, which was played out in three intense matches between Paris and Cholet, his two clubs in Betclic Elite, but Tidjane Salaün (2m06, 18 years old) clearly has nothing to be ashamed of in his one and only professional season in France.
“A pro year is quite short, I know. And I understand these criticisms. But I take full responsibility for it, I feel ready. I know that I will progress, I will work hard for it in any case. I will be ready for the NBA season”Salaun said from Treviso, before adding. “I am only at 40% of my potential. I want to become the best French player in the NBA. »
The French winger from Cholet Basket therefore takes on this French “one-and-done” after having completed a very exciting campaign with an average of 9 points and 4 rebounds, and similar stats in the FIBA Champions League, punctuated by the title of best young person in the competition. And a constantly increasing NBA rating to reach the Top 10!
Steady progress since INSEP
“I definitely learned a lot this year. I was happy to have been able to taste Europe, it brought me a lot and it gave me more matches to play. As the season progressed and the good performances progressed, I felt more and more comfortable on the pitch. I gained experience quickly and was able to progress in terms of physique and intensity. And mentally, it’s the biggest milestone I’ve passed! I understood what my role was in the Cholet team. At the beginning, I was on position 3, but I learned to adapt and learned to always give my all. The end of the season was frustrating because I wanted to play Paris in the playoffs and I really enjoyed playing these matches. I played them hard. I learned that at this level, there is no room for error. »
Because they both played in Charenton at the junior level, and through his video series “Fournier For Real” behind the scenes of the NBA when he was still playing in Orlando (with the villa that goes with it) , Salaun greatly admired Evan Fournier. Before moving on to his friend from the 92 generation, Rudy Gobert. Because the latter had his poster in the Cholet Basket training room!
“At 14, when I joined the pole, I had objectives to achieve, and I did it step by step. I wasn't talking about the NBA, or maybe it was a very long-term goal; you had to complete the objectives first! Insep, the U18s, the Espoirs, the French teams [jeunes]. And, the following year, it was the same thing! Go win the Espoirs championship and the trophy of the future. Afterwards, I did ANGT last year, where I did quite well, which sparked the interest of other agents and other teams. My long-term goal became medium-term, because I worked like crazy. »
“He dribbles like a point guard. That means I can do it too! »
Increasingly attentive to players of his size, namely Durant, Ingram, Salaun could not help but also name Victor Wembanyama as a source of inspiration and motivation.
“ We talked in March, he motivates me to work every day. He is an inspiration for basketball players, but for all athletes. He achieves impossible things. He dribbles like a point guard. That means I can do it too! »
Probably led to assume a role as a complementary player upon his arrival in the NBA, in line with what Bilal Coulibaly was able to do very well in Washington this year, Tidjane Salaün knows that he will have to adapt. And this, in more than one way. But the boy has already proven that he can do it. And he proves it.
“When I started in the pros, I was more in an exclusive 3&D role but I was able to bring more and more into other areas of the game: communication, leadership, energy, aggressiveness. [En attaque]I want to be a scorer more than just a shooter, to be able to score in several situations. […] I know I have to work on my dribbling, but also on creating for myself and for my teammates. I also want to be effective at 3-points and from mid-range. I work a lot on my mid-range shot. »
Create your own opportunity
Like his big heat in the playoffs in match 1, for the first defeat inflicted on the current Parisian finalist on his floor, Tidjane Salaün is not the type to be shy. Nor to get a big head! Even when his life is about to change forever, with the NBA Draft fast approaching.
“It’s natural, I’ve always been a bit in the shadows, I’ve always kept my feet on the ground. I know that you have to be patient, work hard to achieve your goals and surpass others,” he concludes. “What interests me most in the NBA is knowing that I can progress and that I have the trust of the team. The opportunity, whether given to me or not, I will end up creating it for myself. »
[Propos recueillis par visioconférence, depuis Trévise]
