Scouting Report: Georges Niang

Name: Georges Niang DOB: 6/17/1993 (22) School: Iowa State

Height: 6’8 Weight: 230 Projected Position: SF/PF

2015-16 Stats (19 games):

19.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg, 2.2 tpg (32.7 minutes per game)

52.8 FG%, 84.4 FT%, 39.5 3FG%, 61.9 TS%, 58.9 eFG%

26.2 USG%, 5.3 ORB%, 15.3 DREB%, 10.6 TRB%, 1.5 STL%

SKILLS/ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN

Offense

Perimeter Shooting

Niang has developed into one of the top shooting forwards in college basketball, showing great range, even if there isn’t much jump in his jumper. He has done a very good job showing a consistent shooting motion, with a quick, high release and good follow-through, even if he has very little lift from his legs, making it look like a set shot. As a senior, Niang has done a good job tightening up his motion, letting him get his shot off a little quicker, even in the face of a closing defender. Still, he is at his best as a spot shooter with time to get set and space to get a good look at the rim. Niang isn’t going to shoot many jumpers off the dribble, though he is capable of taking a dribble or two to evade a closing defender. He is a very good option in pick-and-pop situations, opening up to the ball quickly after his screen, already in position to shoot. Niang hasn’t shown much in the mid-range game, preferring to shoot within 8 feet of the basket, or behind the arc.

Ballhandling/Penetration

Niang has continued to improve as a ballhandler and driver, able to go left or right with ease, and showing some nifty footwork as he makes his way to the basket. Still, he is just an average ballhandler, and he can have a tendency to over-dribble and letting the ball get away from him a bit, giving defenders a chance to get their hands on the ball. Given his ability to shoot from the perimeter, Niang often uses a good shot fake to draw defenders in the air, and making a fairly quick move for his size. Control can be an issue as Niang heads towards the basket, and he has a tendency to lower his shoulder, but he has become better at avoiding help defenders, showing both a very quick spin move, or showing a much-improved floater in the lane. He doesn’t have the acceleration off the dribble to beat many defenders to the rim, but he does a very good job using his body to create separation, especially in isolation, for him to get his shot off at the basket, plus, his excellent touch, ability to score with either hand, and ability to use angles off the backboard, gives him plenty of different scoring options. Niang can find good scoring opportunities off the dribble when he flash cuts to the high post area, dragging a bigger defender with him, and using a quick move to the get to the basket.

Post Offense

Niang started his career at Iowa State with a more post-based offense, though as his game as diversified, he spends less time working there, yet he is still effective when used. Though he doesn’t have some of the bulk he had early on in his college career, Niang now uses his skill to create mismatches. He is able to set up on either block and make moves over either shoulder, though he is much more effective when setting up on the left block. Niang doesn’t look to establish deep position, instead looking to get the ball further away from the rim, hoping the space will allow him to create scoring chances. He does a good job sealing off his defender, setting a big target, and showing good hands. On either block, Niang will often look to face up, hoping to use his quickness advantage against a bigger defender to get to the rim, or shoot the short jumper. When he’s on the left block, Niang has shown the ability to shoot the jumper or a short hook with either hand, though he is stronger going to his right hand. He’s not as efficient on the right block if forced to go to his left hand, so he will often face-up and look to drive baseline, or he will go to a drop-step to be able to shoot with his right hand. Niang has very good footwork, and he is a decent ballhandler in the post, though, at times, he will pound the ball into the ground waiting to create space for his move, but when he looks to make a quick move to the basket, he is very effective. When he makes his move to the basket, Niang does a good job using his body to create separation from the defender and give him space to shoot, though he can have trouble finishing against longer defenders. Niang is a good option in pick-and-roll sets, both with his good hands and ability to get to the basket, or his ability to pop out on the perimeter and hit the long-range jumper.

Passing

Over the past four seasons, Niang has been one of the best-passing forwards in college basketball. He has very good vision from any spot on the floor, and he has shown the ability to make a variety of passes to set-up his teammates in good spots. Niang is an excellent hi-low passer, showing great touch on lobs to teammates, as well as being patient enough to wait for defenders to move to help before letting the pass go. He is also a capable passer of the dribble, kicking the ball out to the perimeter as he sees help defenders move to stop his drive. Niang started his college career by showing excellent passing ability out of the low post, often hitting weak-side cutters in stride for an easy basket, or making strong passes across the court to an open three-point shooter. He will have a tendency to force some passes, especially when making a move off the dribble, but, in general, he makes good decisions with the ball, and continues to improve as he diversifies his offensive game.

Free Throw Shooting

Niang is an above-average free throw shooter, and he has shown improvement in each of his four seasons. Like his jumper, there is very little use of the legs in his shot, but he has a consistent routine, compact motion, and good release. Niang doesn’t get to the free throw line all that often, especially now that he has become more comfortable as a perimeter shooter. He gets to the line only about once for every four field goal attempts (.24 free throw rate), but when he does have the ball around the basket, he rarely shows hesitation in looking to draw contact.

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Defense

Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)

Niang isn’t a great perimeter defender for his size, but he has shown some improvement over the past two seasons. He positions himself well, with a decent defensive stance, keeping his hands and feet active. His lateral movement is awkward and slow at times, but still improved, and though he has a tendency to give space on the ball, his ability to react and also improved over time, especially closing on shooters he has given space to. He will give a good amount of space, and at the next level, a good shooter should get clean looks before Off the ball, Niang moves well off the ball, especially when playing passing lanes, and though his movement isn’t always fluid as he chases around the floor, he knows how to play angles, and tries to use that to make up for a lack of quickness.

Post Defense/Help Defense

With Jameel McKay around, Niang doesn’t defend the post all that often anymore, but it is still another area where he has shown some improvement. He does a good job positioning himself between his man and the basket, though he doesn’t use his body well to push players off the blocks. Niang prefers to play almost straight-up in the post, hoping to use his feet to guide the offensive player into the help defense. He reacts fairly well to his man’s movements, but he does have some difficulties with longer, quicker post players. Probably the biggest area where Niang has improved on defense is his awareness, and he shows good communication skills in a defense that often needs them. While not a shot-blocker at all, Niang is a decent help defender in the lane, doing what he can to try and affect a shot attempt. Niang is good as a pick-and-roll defender, hedging fairly well on the ballhandler, looking to move his feet to contain, but often Iowa State’s defensive strategy is to switch on these screens, where he still does a good job from preventing the ballhandler from turning a corner.

Rebounding

Niang doesn’t have much of an effect on the offensive glass, though he is very good at following up his own misses around the rim and getting good second chance opportunities. At his size, Niang needs to be better on the defensive boards, especially making a better effort to get physical and not be content to wait for the ball to fall to him. He can sometimes be a bit slow to react, or forget to put a body on someone, and since he’s not the most athletic player, he can get beat even when he seems to be in position.

Transition

Niang runs the floor well for his size, and he is very versatile in transition offense. He is a good enough ballhandler that he can push the ball up the floor quickly, and he is a skilled enough player to make very good passes on the move. Niang is also a great option on one of the wings or as a trailer, looking to spot up behind the arc for an open jumper.

Intangibles/Summary

Niang is as uniquely skilled as any forward in college basketball, without having the athletic ability that many college stars have. His versatile offensive ability, buoyed by a continually improving perimeter shot, makes him as difficult a player to guard as anyone in college, and when you add his great knowledge of the game to his skills, you have a dangerous offensive weapon. Niang has the ability to impact the offense without scoring, showing excellent passing skills to go with a strong understanding of court spacing. While not a great ballhandler, or having very good speed, he is effective attacking the basket, especially from 15 to 18 feet in. If moved in to the post, he shows very good footwork and a soft touch around the basket, though he can have some trouble scoring over longer defenders. Playing at Iowa State has made Niang a very good weapon in transition offense, having the ability to handle the ball on the break, as well as being able to fill almost any other role, as needed, including knocking down open shots from behind the arc. Still, Niang’s offense can be limited by his lack of athleticism, though he has the skill and savvy to find ways to make plays. The lack of athleticism hurts Niang more on the defensive end, and though he has improved, he needs to make too many concessions due to lack of foot speed, length, and leaping ability. These things also find ways to affect him on the boards, where he just isn’t aggressive or physical enough to make up for a lack of athleticism. In the end, Niang’s skills will certainly impress, but questions will be raised due to his physical profile and perceived limitations.

Draft Value: Mid-2^nd Round – #42-50

As mentioned above, Niang’s skills will certainly match some of the top players in this draft, but due to his age, lack of athleticism, and physical profile, he’ll end up being overlooked by many in this draft. Still, once you get to the second round, smart teams will take a long look at what Niang could bring them down the road, especially once they work on getting his physical conditioning and strength to a better place. He could end up still being a below-average defender at the NBA level, but there is still a lot he can bring to a team off the bench on offense. A player with Niang’s skill level, you take the risk in the second round, especially if the team has a D-League affiliate to get him in the work he needs.

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