2016 NBA Draft Watch List: Georges Niang

Georges Niang, Senior, Iowa State, Forward, 6’8, 230

(2014-15, 30.7 mpg) 15.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.7 tpg, 0.5 spg

46.1 FG%, 80.8 FT%, 40.0 3FG%, 56.0 TS%, 51.7 eFG%

26.9 USG%, 4.0 OREB%, 15.2 DREB%, 9.9 TRB%, 21.9 AST%, 0.9 STL%

DOB: 6/17/1993 (22)

2015 3^rd Team All-American

2015 1^st Team All-Big 12

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After losing 25 pounds between his sophomore and junior seasons, Niang solidified himself as one of the most versatile offensive forwards in the country. In Fred Hoiberg’s system, Niang was able to be placed anywhere on the floor, often used to facilitate the quick-hitting offense. His skill set is a great fit with Iowa State’s spacing, and his ability to score in a variety ways makes him tough for any defender to handle. Niang has developed into a good back-to-the basket scorer, using strong footwork and a nice use of angles to create scoring opportunities. He can be used as a screener on the perimeter, where he does a good job opening up into either a pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop situation. Niang has shown good ballhandling skills for his size, and can get to the basket in isolation situations against many other forwards. He’s improved as a perimeter shooter, especially from long range, though the shot can still be tough to watch; there’s very little “jump” in his jumper, but if given enough time and space, he can knock it down from behind the arc. Niang has great court vision and can find open teammates out of the high or low post, or occasionally on a drive to the basket. Defensively, Niang does a good job working hard to defend in the low post, using his body well to try and force his man away from the basket. He shows a good understanding of what he should do on defense, though he is often too slow to execute.

What he needs to show this season: As I mentioned, Niang’s perimeter shot can be hard to watch. His shooting motion is slow and he gets almost no lift from his legs, making many look just like a long set-shot. It works when he has plenty of time and space to get his look, but that may not work at the next level. His ability to exploit defenders in the post is very good, and he should look to get the ball there more often, or even the high post with his ability to drive to the basket. As physical as he is on the defensive end, he doesn’t look to draw contact much at all on offense, and he doesn’t get to the free throw line much (30.8 FT Rate) for as often as he touches the ball, which is a shame, because Niang has developed into a reliable free throw shooter. At times, Niang overestimates what he is capable of, especially when looking to create off the dribble, and he can lose control. Defensively, Niang knows what he should do, especially when guarding on the perimeter, but his foot speed is very slow and many players have little trouble beating him off the dribble. He has to adjust his positioning and learn to play angles better. Also, Niang can get a bit too physical in the post, using his arms to push, and picks up a lot of needless fouls. He needs to put in more effort on the boards, especially on the defensive end.

Where he fits at the next level: As I mentioned last year, Niang is a special talent, but his physical abilities may limit him somewhat at the next level. He is a player whose skill set will fit well in some offenses, but not as much in others, though he is talented enough to breakthrough those limitations. I think Niang will be looked at a lot like Kyle Anderson was coming into the NBA; teams will be impressed by what he can do, many just won’t be sure how it would work for them. Also, continuing to improve his body and agility will be needed to defend effectively in the NBA, especially out on the perimeter.

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