Tidjane Salaün is stamping his feet with impatience. Nearly two hours before the big event, the Cholet Basket star couldn't help but mime a few basketball moves as he walked down the red carpet upon his arrival at the Barclays Center in New York. Once selected in 6th position by the Hornets, the former Charenton player renewed his desire to feel the ball as soon as possible.
“I'm not here to make up the numbers, I want training to start, I'm just waiting for thathe repeated several times with a broad smile. JI will bring all my enthusiasm to my new franchise, I can't wait to play with it LaMelo Ball: He'll give me a few alley-oops, and I'll be ready to jump and put them in the circle. »
Dressed in a dark blue suit “simple but with a businessman’s air” and embroidered with his name with the date of the Draft, the 2m06 French winger already seems in his element. “I have no pressure, he exclaims to a small panel of French journalists. We have the keys to success: if you work and play well, no matter where you are, it will work out quickly. As I did this season in Cholet, I want to bring my qualities to 3-pointers, in defense, in transition and play hard from start to finish. But this is only the beginning, I want to be dangerous in other areas.
Eighth player trained at Cholet Basket!
Unaccustomed to doubting, the best young person of the 2023-2024 season of the Basketball Champions League wants to make a name for himself in the NBA, he who wants “become the best Frenchman in the NBA”. While it’s hard to imagine him surpassing Victor Wembanyama, Tidjane Salaün – “trembling” before being called by Adam Silver – remains mysterious about his ultimate dream. ” I keep it for myself “slips the little brother of Janelle Salaün (Villeneuve-d'Ascq), affirming that the Draft “was only half a dream”.
His years at Cholet Basket, from the U18 category to a successful first season among professionals, Tidjane Salaün will also keep them with him. Eighth player to pass through the Mauges nursery called up to the NBA, he became the player made in CB the highest drafted, four years after Killian Hayes' 7th place pick by the Pistons. “It’s a pride to have evolved in this club. It’s family: that’s where it really started for me, he rewinds. It’s a page that is turning but of course I will say hello next year”.
From our special correspondent in New York.
