Born in Guédiawaye, Senegal, Eli Ndiaye nearly made his NBA debut before an injury intervened. The power forward joined Real Madrid at 13 after trials with Baskonia did not work out, and over the summer he played for the Atlanta Hawks at the Las Vegas Summer League before signing with Valencia Basket. Real Madrid retained him and loaned him to Asisa Joventut.
"When the summer began, I didn't expect to end up in Badalona, but sport is like that," Ndiaye told ARA. "When I spoke with Madrid, they told me that a year on loan would be good for me. La Penya has shown that they want me and has made a great effort for me to play here." His spell at Joventut began with silverware, as he lifted the Supercopa Endesa last weekend.
Ndiaye's family initially pushed him to focus on studies. "When I started playing basketball my family struggled with it, because they wanted me to prioritize my studies, but when they understood that it is something I am passionate about they understood that it could also help me be more focused," he said. He now credits the rise of Senegalese academies and players such as Brancou Badio for basketball's growing popularity at home.
In Badalona, Ndiaye shares the court with Ricky Rubio, Ante Tomic and Nico Laprovittola. "Playing alongside Ricky Rubio is special. He is an excellent player who can change games. Furthermore, he is a leader who helps us, the newcomers, a lot," he said. Joventut open the Liga Endesa season on Sunday at Rio Breogan (12 p.m., TV3 and DAZN).
