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Eli Ndiaye, a 19-year-old striker from Real Madrid’s youth academy, is poised to sign a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks after impressing during his debut in the NBA Summer League.
In a remarkable 21-minute appearance against the Miami Heat, Ndiaye recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, along with 1 steal and 1 block, quickly capturing the attention of Hawks coach Bryan Bailey. “He’s incredibly athletic and defensively versatile,” Bailey remarked to Mundo Deportivo, highlighting that Ndiaye “contributes energy, effort, and hard work,” and praised his proficiency in corner three-point shooting, which should integrate well as he fits into the team.
The Mali-born, Senegalese-Spanish forward opted for a two-way contract instead of staying in Europe, passing up second-round draft offers to seize this NBA chance. “On the day of the NBA’s second round… teams wanted me to remain in Europe, but I was eager for this experience,” Ndiaye shared with MD. “I accepted Atlanta’s offer—it’s a fantastic opportunity to play in the premier basketball league.”
Having joined Real Madrid’s academy at age 13, made his debut in 2021, and celebrated a EuroLeague championship in 2023, Ndiaye’s journey prepares him for this exciting transition. Though the specifics of his role are still being finalized, he anticipates splitting time between the G-League and the NBA: “They’ll guide me on areas for improvement and my responsibilities… I truly appreciate the warm welcome I’ve received and the chance I’ve been given.”
Beyond his athletic skills, Ndiaye is also linguistically adept—fluent in both French and Spanish—making him an excellent fit for a Hawks locker room that includes fellow French speakers and players with Spanish backgrounds.
With recent acquisitions such as Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard, the Hawks are crafting a competitive squad around Trae Young, and Ndiaye may well prove to be the standout asset from this summer’s roster moves.
