By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Plenty of adjustments are necessary for Tidjane Salaun after shining in the Basketball Champions League.
Salaun, 19, was picked by the Charlotte Hornets with the sixth selection of the 2024 NBA draft, shortly after being named Best Young Player of the BCL.
This week, he joined the training camp of the Hornets and shared the first part of his experience in the NBA, including spotting differences between the league based in North America and European basketball.
“I think it is about the ball movement. You have to play more with your brain, I would say. It is not about playing a lot of systems here. You have some transition and after that it is just you, just keep going, keep running, and keep shooting with confidence if you are alone. In Europe, we try to slow down every time,” he described the required new approach.
An explosive forward, he was a regular with the senior team of Cholet throughout the 2023-24 season, displaying his talents in the Champions League and France. Certainly, he is no stranger to training camps.
“It is not so hard for my body, because we have a good energy with the team. And I try to follow the energy, the instructions of the coach, and be the most efficient for later,” the native of Paris commented on conserving energy in team practices.
Switching to 2024 NBA Preseason action, the Hornets face the New York Knicks in Spectrum Center on Sunday.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League