Jarrod Uthoff, Georges Niang named second-team All-Americans

IOWA CITY — Iowa forward Jarrod Uthoff and Iowa State forward Georges Niang were named second-team All-Americans on Monday by the United States Basketball Writers Association.

Uthoff, a Marengo native and Cedar Rapids Jefferson graduate, ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.9), first in blocked shots (2.7), and tied for 11th in rebounding (6.4). Uthoff is 19th in Iowa career scoring (1,259) and fourth in blocked shots (174).

Two weeks ago, the 6-foot-9 Uthoff was tabbed Academic All-American of the Year for Division I men's basketball. He was the first unanimous all-Big Ten selection by coaches and media since 1997 and also was on the Big Ten's all-defensive team. Uthoff is the first player in the last 15 years to average more than two blocks and two 3-pointers per game. He was Iowa's first USBWA selection.

Niang, who stands 6-8, leads Iowa State with 19.8 points and averages a career-best 6.2 rebounds. Niang, who hails from Methuen, Mass., is the only player nationally to average 19 points and six rebounds, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. He previously was named first-team all-Big 12 and to the Big 12's all-tournament team.

Both Uthoff and Niang are among 15 finalists for the Wooden Award, which goes to the nation's top player.

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