ISU men's basketball notebook: Nader's newfound consistency a bonus for Cyclones

AMES — Iowa State coach Steve Prohm heard some stories about Abdel Nader when he first took the job in Ames.

Nader was still trying to find his way in the ISU rotation last fall and was often a streaky shooter and averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Flashes of what he could be showed up against Iowa, West Virginia and Kansas when he scored 19, 19 and 13 points, but finding a consistent rhythm was hard to do.

Flash forward to this year, and it's like Prohm is seeing a different guy from what the stories he heard about Nader indicated.

'He's probably the most consistent guy we've had, to me, since I've gotten here,' Prohm said. 'I'm really excited about him. I think he brings tremendous versatility on both ends of the floor offensively and defensively.'

Just like his teammates, Nader has developed the reputation of a gym rat since he arrived in Ames in 2013 after transferring from Northern Illinois. The 6-foot-6 senior also slimmed down to 225 pounds and has been able to be more effective defensively.

Nader's size and athleticism allowed him to get to the rim offensively, but he's started to embrace a more active role on defense. With Jameel McKay and Georges Niang on the floor, Nader could be a third piece defensively and use his 7-foot-1 wing span to change shot directions.

'I'm just trying to work as hard as I can,' Nader said. 'I've put in a lot of work this summer and I think (Prohm) knows. I just want to do whatever it takes for my team to win. If that's me having to guard the best player on the other end, which I'm capable of doing, or dropping some points, I'm willing to do whatever.'

Although Prohm said he hadn't made an official decision on the first-game lineup, Nader likely has the inside track on the fifth spot along with Niang, McKay, Monte Morris and Naz Mitrou-Long.

'It really seems like he's the most consistent guy every day in practice,' Niang said. 'That's huge for Abdel and that's going to show a lot down the year when he's pumping in some points for us and helping us win games.'

Mitrou-Long participating in workouts

Undergoing surgeries on both hips wasn't something Naz Mitrou-Long or Hallice Cooke envisioned happening in their early twenties. Now through the operations and rehab, both are coming out better on the other side.

'It was a challenge because the times where I'd wake up depressed and not be able to do the thing I loved, I had to always tell myself, I've got to be there for the guys next to me,' Mitrou-Long said. 'It's something that I take pride in doing, is being selfless.'

Cooke participated in summer league basketball and is full go every day in practice, but Mitrou-Long was cleared to rejoin workouts Oct. 1. He'll practice two days this week, three next week and four the following week and has worked on regaining consistency in his shooting form and conditioning.

'He came out in his first individual workout in our four-man groups and the energy level he displayed with was unbelievable,' Prohm said. 'He's got everybody's ear, everybody respects him.'

Burton eyes eligibility in December

Just like Jameel McKay a year ago, Marquette transfer Deonte Burton will await his eligibility and join the ISU rotation for the first time at the Big Four Classic on Dec. 19 against Northern Iowa.

The junior arrived at Iowa State as a mid-year transfer last season after playing in eight games with the Golden Eagles.

'I think Deonte has to understand it's a process being implemented into the system because when you come in midyear, that's very tough to do,' Prohm said. 'He can play a couple different positions and play him small at the four or go big and play him at the three.'

Burton is known for his athleticism and dunking ability, but has tried to build on his long-range shooting after hit 40-percent from 3-point range in his eight games last season at Marquette. He said he hasn't had any reps with the first team in practice yet, but that playing with the second team has helped him develop his offense and defense roles more.

'I actually like it because it's like the new guys versus the older guys,' Burton said. 'It gets very competitive back and forth so it's been fun.'

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