Real Madrid's big man Eli Ndiaye will be eligible to play with Spain as a native player starting in 2025, Sergio Scariolo clarified.
Eli John Ndiaye was one of the protagonists in Real Madrid's victory against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (93-86) in what has been so far the best game of Los Blancos in a difficult start to the season.
The power forward of Senegalese roots played 25 minutes and had 10 points, three rebounds, one steal and 11 in PIR. In last Sunday's victory against Zaragoza, he recorded 10 points, 6 blocks and two steals.
While Ndiaye is taking bigger steps in his growth, Sergio Scariolo opened up on the player's status with the Spanish national team. Asked about when the 20-year-old center will be eligible to play with La Roja, the Italian tactician revealed that Ndiaye has to turn 21 in order for him to join the lineup.
"Starting next June, he will be an eligible player for all purposes and not occupying a naturalized player's position. He will be able to potentially play with Lorenzo Brown, for example," the new member of the Movistar+ broadcasts explained.
Scariolo also spoke about the Real Madrid player during the broadcast, praising various facets of his game and highlighting "the concentration he has for a guy his age."
Despite having Spanish nationality (just three days before his 16th birthday, on June 23, 2020, the Council of Ministers naturalized him), Ndiaye cannot make his debut with Spain until he turns 21 -- that is, until June 26 due to FIBA's internal regulations. According to Article 88.2, until he turns 21, a player cannot choose to play for a national team other than that of the country where he was born.
Thus, the first tournament in which Ndiaye could make his debut is next year's EuroBasket qualifiers.
Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.
