Overview
In 2021, Salaun joined Cholet Basket, part of the LNB Espoirs (French U21 league). During 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, he showed off his skill at the Basketball Without Borders camp. Notably, he was named MVP of the 2023 Trophy of the Future tournament, averaging 17.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He officially joined Cholet’s senior team in summer 2023. Salaun also played in the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship for the France national team. In 2023-24, across 49 appearances for Cholet, he averaged 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 23.2 minutes.
Analysis
The 6-foot-9 forward has intrigued scouts with his combination of fluidity and shooting touch. He’s smooth in transition and cutting to the basket, while he can also knock down looks from deep. He went a modest 68-for-211 (32%) in 2023-24 but 61-for-168 (36%) in 2022-23 and 27-for-77 (35%) in 2021-22. Salaun is mostly a finisher as he totaled 44 assists to 64 turnovers last year. On defense, he isn’t a showstopper but he has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and competes with good athleticism. Hustle and desire helps him on both ends of the floor.
Projection
Salaun’s athleticism, length and motor will certainly intrigue scouts. His draft stock will likely be determined by how much NBA teams believe in his potential to become a knockdown 3-point shooter and/or excellent defender. He should be able to impact the game in transition immediately. Based on those swing skills, Salaun could represent more athletic versions of players like Otto Porter Jr., Al-Farouq Aminu or Jonas Jerebko. And if some more playmaking ability comes along, his ceiling is higher than those players.
— Profile by RotoWire