No game at the start of the continental basketball campaign left good feelings in the Real Madrid as the one that won, completely dominating, a Red Star Belgrade (95-72) who came as co-leader to Goya. Good news multiplied in the whites, many centered on one of those young people who were wait for another leap, Eli John Ndiaye (Guédiawaye, Senegal, 2004). He started as a starter, was a constant focus of good news and the praise multiplied.
Eli John Ndiaye launches a three-pointer against Mike Daum’s defense.
They say, above all, the numbers: 12 points (5/7 TC), 6 rebounds, an assist, a steal, a block and 16 rating credits in 27 minutes of play. In a Real Madrid that ended the season suffering due to the departure of The New Guerschon in the NBA in the ‘4’ position, He brings. It is the signing from within.
Since he arrived in 2017 as an offensive supernova within the prolific Madrid youth team, Ndiaye has been going up in numbers. He became a fighting player, a good defender and improved in attack as soon as he landed in the first team. It happened in the month of September 2021 and in a Clásico against Barça. And he never slowed down, accumulating more good performances. A couple of courses ago, in the Kaunas Euroleague Final Fourcame out to defend Nikola Mirotic in the Classic of the semifinals and perhaps there he showed that he was up for something even bigger.
KAUNAS, LITHUANIA – MAY 19: Nikola Mirotic, #33 of FC Barcelona in action with Eli Ndiaye, #30 of Real Madrid during Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four Kaunas 2023 Semi Final B match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Zalgirio Arena on May 19, 2023 in Kaunas, Lithuania. (Photo by Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
Obviously, comparisons with the white youth team are dangerous and anyone who shines has spectacular precedents, with Luka Doncic at the helm. But I’m going builds its history and Chus Mateo, coach of Real Madrid, gives it prominence. “He will be a great player, I just ask that you don’t believe it too much,” he confessed.. He is one of his supporters and in the current season he could become the coach who made him go further. “In a few years, when I’m watching basketball on TV and continue seeing him play at the level he will reach, I will be proud,” Mateo added.
He will be a great player, I just ask that you don’t believe it too much,” he confessed.
Qualitatively, Ndiaye has a lot to contribute. His physique and defensive reading make him a defender, and offensive ease could mean a leap. In the Euroleague shows it, with two good games against Partizan Belgrade (10 points) and Red Star. His colleagues are fully aware, including those who are no longer here, like Vince Poirier who was full of praise on social networks.
Furthermore, within the white needs due to the low of Garuba and Feliz, plus the departure of Yabusele, its emergence fits like a glove. Chus Mateo asked for moves after the start, but with Ndiaye breaking it inside They may only focus on outside positions to reinforce the point guard and shooting guard positions, and where names like Lonnie Walker IV.
Eli John Ndiaye receives congratulations from Facundo Campazzo.
And, by the way, It is great news for the team. Ndiaye cannot yet make his debut for Spain, he will do so when he turns 21, but coach Sergio Scariolo has already introduced him into the group and has high regard for his qualities. He will be seen soon. And, in the background, the NBA, which had already displaced scoutsto review his performances when he broke into the Madrid first team.
