Tidjane Salaün: The Long, Explosive Forward Ready for the Next Step

Not every young player needs to be loud to get noticed. Some just make their presence felt every time they step on the floor. Tidjane Salaün fits that mold.

At 6’9″ (2.06 m) with a wingspan that seems to stretch across passing lanes, the Cholet forward has the kind of physical profile that immediately grabs attention. But what makes Salaün more than just a promising athlete is how quickly he’s started to put things together.

We’ve followed his rise at EuroSpecTs, and it’s clear: he’s evolving faster than most expected.

A Forward Built for the Modern Game

Salaün’s combination of length, mobility, and shooting touch gives him the foundation to thrive in today’s positionless style. He can switch onto multiple positions defensively, run in transition, and stretch the floor—all without needing the ball in his hands all the time.

Here’s what stands out most when watching him:

• Effortless physical tools: He’s long, springy, and moves like a wing despite his size. Runs the floor hard every possession.
• Defensive upside: Blocks shots, disrupts passing lanes, and isn’t afraid to body up stronger players. His instincts are raw, but real.
• Shooting confidence: Comfortable spotting up from deep or pulling up in rhythm. Still streaky, but never afraid to let it fly.
• Aggressive mindset: Attacks closeouts, doesn’t shy from contact, and shows flashes of real edge in big moments.

Salaün doesn’t always dominate the stat sheet, but the impact is there. His value lies in versatility—something every pro scout is hungry for.

A Work in Progress—In All the Right Ways

There’s still plenty of room to grow. Salaün is young, and that shows in stretches where he forces the action or fades when shots aren’t falling. But the foundation is strong—and his willingness to compete is part of what sets him apart.

At times, he plays like a player still figuring out just how good he can be. And from our experience, that’s not a bad place to be. When effort and upside meet self-awareness, it usually leads to big things.

Why He’s on Our Radar

At EuroSpecTs, we don’t just track hype—we track development. And with Salaün, the path is as promising as the tools. He’s already earned minutes in France’s top league and shown he can hold his own against grown men.

That matters. Playing real rotation minutes at 17–18 years old in a pro setting tells us he’s learning how to adjust, adapt, and stay on the floor. Coaches don’t hand those out for free. Whether he takes the NBA route or continues to rise in Europe, his trajectory is steep.

How He Makes His Mark

What separates Salaün is that he doesn’t need the offense to run through him to be effective.

 He can change a game with hustle, rim contests, or a well-timed three. That kind of versatility wins minutes—and trust.

Players like him are rare: big enough to protect the paint, quick enough to switch, and

 confident enough to shoot. Those aren’t just traits—they’re assets.

Keep Your Eyes on Tidjane

We’ve seen this story before—long forward, flashes of perimeter skill, raw but fearless. Sometimes those players fade. But when they have the work ethic and toughness to match, they don’t just stick—they rise fast.

Salaün has a lot left to prove, but all the signs are there. From where we sit, he’s not just a name to remember. He’s one to follow closely.