Eli Ndiaye is officially returning to Real Madrid after spending one season pursuing an NBA opportunity in the United States.
Real Madrid announced that the 22-year-old power forward has agreed to a two-year contract that will keep him with the Spanish powerhouse through the end of the 2027-28 season.
The move brings Ndiaye back to the club where he spent four seasons at the senior level between 2021 and 2025, winning eight trophies: one EuroLeague title, three Spanish league championships, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups.
Ndiaye left Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 to chase an NBA opportunity.
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, the 2.04-meter forward signed a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks on July 3.
He never made his NBA regular-season debut, spending his playing time with Atlanta's G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.
Ndiaye averaged 8.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in 26.2 minutes over nine G League appearances before his season was cut short by a torn shoulder labrum.
The Hawks announced in December that he required season-ending surgery.
Atlanta subsequently ended his two-way contract at the end of December.
After recovering, Ndiaye returned to the Hawks for the 2026 NBA Summer League. He appeared in two games in Las Vegas, averaging 3.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 16.5 minutes.
His NBA attempt therefore ended without a regular-season appearance, opening the door for a return to Europe.
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Ndiaye appeared close to joining another EuroLeague club before Real Madrid stepped in.
Valencia Basket submitted an offer for the Spanish-Senegalese forward after Ndiaye informed the ACB of his intention to return to the Spanish league.
Real Madrid retained his domestic rights and had five days to decide whether to match Valencia's proposal.
Madrid ultimately exercised its right of first refusal, matching Valencia's offer and retaining Ndiaye's ACB rights. The financial terms of Valencia's proposal were not publicly disclosed.
Born in Dakar, Senegal, Ndiaye joined Real Madrid's youth system at 13 and eventually made his senior debut in 2021.
He also became a Spanish citizen in 2020, making him valuable as a locally trained player under Liga Endesa roster regulations.
His role steadily increased during his first stint with Madrid. In his final EuroLeague campaign before leaving for the United States, Ndiaye averaged 3.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14 minutes across 25 appearances during the 2024-25 season.
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