Georges Niang 'lucky' to be in NBA discussion

AMES — Life after graduation has been demanding for former Iowa State men's basketball forward Georges Niang.

The workouts and travel have dominated Niang's time and have taken him from coast to coast as he worked out for nine NBA teams. The two-time All-American wouldn't have it any other way.

Thursday night's NBA Draft is where Niang's childhood dream reaches its culmination and simultaneously starts his next series of professional aspirations.

'Not too many people get to do what I do every day and I'm lucky that I have this blessing to wake up and chase after my dream every day,' Niang said. 'I'm not going to say every part is easy because that's not the case but I'm enjoying every moment. That's what makes it so special.'

Niang's career points (2,228), wins (98), games played (138), NCAA tournament appearances (4) and the Karl Malone Award all highlight his Iowa State resume. But starting as a rookie in the professional ranks means the 6-foot-9, 231-pounder has to prove himself just as he had to when he got to college.

In DraftExpress' mock NBA Draft, Niang isn't projected to be selected Thursday, but is listed as the No. 69 overall prospect and No. 32 senior.

CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated reporter Seth Davis talked to five anonymous NBA scouts who gave candid assessments on a number of players eligible in this draft class, including Niang.

'He's a guy that coaches will love,' the report said. 'He's undersized and he's a terrible athlete, but he's a basketball player. He has as high a basketball IQ as anybody in this draft. Can really shoot and you can run offense through him on the elbow because he can pass it. I don't know that he'll get drafted. He should play in Europe for 15 years and make obscene money.'

Niang's athleticism has never been his ally, but his court vision, scoring around the rim (60.5 percent two-point percentage) and ability to step outside the 3-point line (39.2 percent) all work in his favor.

Instead of trying to prove to scouts what he cannot do during his workouts, Niang put forth the attributes that would allow teams to see what kind of player he could be in a given system.

'I think the biggest thing is knowing yourself and who I am got me to where I am today and I'm not going to change that,' Niang said. 'I'm a team guy, I love to win and put the team above everything. I feel like I can help contribute to a team immediately.'

Iowa State Coach Steve Prohm felt the effects of Niang's basketball IQ every day in practice.

'He challenges you as a coach because you have to be on point each and every day because he can see through the riff raff,' Prohm said. 'He can see if you're not prepared or speaking the right way or speaking the right language.'

Despite the number of teams he met with and bits of encouraging feedback, Niang has no inclination on what team will use his services. But just like other aspects of his post-college life, he wouldn't have it any other way.

'If I knew I would tell you, but I have no idea,' Niang said. 'I'm just sitting here waiting like everybody else. I think that's the beautiful part of the journey is that you have no idea so you're just waiting to see it happen.'

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