A single glance at the name Tidjane Salaun will make many Americans frown and get angry for being unable to roll their r’s and pronounce the Côtes d’Ivoire Chief’s name properly. But if you are an NBA fan you should probably get familiar with him because before the pre-draft camp Salaun’s size and play making ability should easily make him a top 10 pick in the upcoming 2024 NBA draft at the end of this month.
The back of your linguistic flashcard should read: tee-JOHN sahl-OWN. Our delivery expectation tee JOHN sahl OWN is a great delivery expectation.
Tidjane Salaun, the new 6ft 10 in known French Basketball player has surprisingly made his mark amongst thousands of basketball lovers. Since Salaun entered the sport, a world of possibilities for him appearing in the NBA has opened up due to his combination of height, basketball IQ, and physical ability. Originally Paris-born Inzaghi, the 19-year-old forward has shown great progress in the field and is often rated with some of the world’s most prominent players.
Salaun started in youth academies being developed through in France and showed his skills and basketball intelligence from early ages. Hucker was able to play several positions and always had such an excellent feel for the court which made it extremely tough for defenses to limit his impact. Although Salaun was already a talented player, he had his coming-out party at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup; where he posted averages of 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to help France win the silver medal.
Getting ready to drop Part II of our closer look into the NBA’s French invasion. The French Scout who helped us with that said Tidjane Salaun and point guard prodigy Nolan Traore (2025 Draft eligible and pictured below on the left) don’t want to just come to the NBA, they want to… pic.twitter.com/mhu3sRlyJm
— SpursReport (@SpursReporter) June 11, 2024
However, the aspects which must have drawn scouts’ attention were not only those numerical indicators. Salaun played outstanding in critical moments of the game; he made crucial shots and made the right plays that were observable from cushion.To top it all, Salaun displayed qualities of a team captain and he showed that he has what it takes to be a team’s cornerstone.
Where Salaun excels from most youngsters or fancy footwork from stations is versatility. He stands 6’10 and nevertheless, has the dribble of a guard, passing ability of a point guard, and a deadly accurate jump shot over the range of the three point line. His defense is also equally good; Salaun has a long armspan, making him a shot blocker, denying teammates from passing, as well as versatile on the floor- a power forward in defense.
Despite his still young age it is evident that Tidjane fulfills all the characteristics of an exceptional basketball player since he is big, talented and smart; he can indeed change the results at the next level.
Tidjane Salaun and Pacome Dadiet’s results in the international combine in Treviso
Dadiet
6’7.75 without shoes
6’9 wingspan
216 lbs
8’11.5 standing reach
Salaun
6’8.75 without shoes
7’1.5 wingspan
217 lbs
9’2.0 standing reach
2 of the more intriguing guys in ‘24 pic.twitter.com/ZEL27BlLJN
— nbadraftpoint (@draftpoint2024) June 8, 2024
Throughout the pre-draft phase, Tidjane Salaun’s stock has surged dramatically. His NBA Draft Combine performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Salaun showed off his quickness, shooting touch, and defensive prowess in a variety of drills. Executives were deeply impressed by Salaun’s maturity, work ethic, and enthusiasm for the game during his interviews with teams, which further cemented his standing as a top prospect.
When Salaun took part in a private workout with the New York Knicks, a team renowned for keeping a close watch on foreign talent, the excitement surrounding him reached a fever pitch. Salaun’s performance was so good, according to sources, that the Knicks are seriously thinking about trading up to select him in the draft.
Everyone is talking about Tidjane Salaun as the 2024 NBA Draft draws near. Experts project that he might be selected as high as the fifth pick, given the keen interest shown by multiple teams in the teenage sensation. Salaun’s path from the impoverished alleys of Paris to the bright lights of the NBA is evidence of his unwavering talent, hard effort, and dedication.
Don’t be shocked if you hear NBA Commissioner Adam Silver say, “With the [insert team name] pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, we select Tidjane Salaun,” when he takes the podium in a few weeks. When you do, keep in mind that name, which is “tee-JOHN sahl-OWN.”
The future is bright for this French phenom, and the basketball world eagerly awaits his arrival on the grandest stage of all.
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