In the 2005-06 season, he played for WTC Cornella in the Spanish LEB2 league, averaging 9.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, shooting 51.4% from the field, 38.5% from three and 76.1% from the free throw line, playing an average of 26 minutes per game in 29 games. He led the league in blocked shots, registering more blocks than the totals of all but one other team in the league. After being drafted Chiekh played for the Detroit Pistons NBA Summer League averaging 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 65.2% from the field and 60.0% from the free throw line without attempting a three.

In his second season with Cornella he averaged 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks while shooting 52% from the field, 50% from three and 61% from the free throw line playing 24 minutes per game in only 19 games in an injury plagued season. Chiekh returned from Spain to average 9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 57.7% from the field and 71.4% from the free throw line while not attempting a three, starting in four and playing in all five Detroit Pistons NBA Summer League games. Subsequently, he earned a two-year contract with the Pistons. Chiekh's brother Mamadou is the consensus top international prospect born in 1989.