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Georges Niang

Georges Niang

Georges Niang (born June 17, 1993) is an American-Senegalese[1][2][3] professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an All-American college player for Iowa State University.

Georges Niang
Big 12 Championship - Georges Niang.jpg
Niang with the Iowa State Cyclones
No. 31 – Utah Jazz
PositionPower forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born(1993-06-17)June 17, 1993
Lawrence, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican / Senegalese
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High schoolTilton School
(Tilton, New Hampshire)
CollegeIowa State (2012–2016)
NBA draft2016 / Round: 2 / Pick: 50th overall
Selected by the Indiana Pacers
Playing career2016–present
Career history
2016–2017Indiana Pacers
2016–2017→Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2017–2018Santa Cruz Warriors
2018–presentUtah Jazz
2018→Salt Lake City Stars
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All NBA G League (2018)
  • Consensus second-team All-American (2016)
  • Third-team All-American – AP, NABC (2015)
  • Karl Malone Award (2016)
  • 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2015, 2016)
  • Third-team All-Big 12 (2014)
  • Big 12 Tournament MVP (2015)
  • Big 12 All-Rookie team (2013)
Stats [28] at NBA.com
Stats [29] at Basketball-Reference.com

High school career

A three-year starter and two-year team captain, Niang capped off his career as the greatest players in The Tilton School history, amassing a school-record 2,372 points. He was a three-time First-Team All-NEPSAC Class AA pick, Niang was the 2012 NEPSAC Class AA Player of the Year.[4] He averaged 25.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game as a senior, averaged 24.2 points and 8.2 rebounds as a junior and led his team to the 2011 NEPSAC Class AA championship with a 72-56 win over St. Mark's. He was named outstanding player of the tournament, scoring 23 points on 11-of-11 shooting from the field in the championship game. His team lost in the 2011 National Prep Championship to Notre Dame Prep (87-85), as Niang scored 31 points.[5] He played for the Boston-based BABC AAU team, the same program that featured former Cyclone and NBA player Will Blalock. His BABC squad won the 2011 Nike Peach Jam, one of the most competitive AAU tournaments in the country.[6] He was teammates at Tilton and in AAU with Nerlens Noel, they won four NEPSAC titles, one national prep championship, one AAU national championship and one Nike EYBL title in his career.

Niang was considered one of the best players on the East Coast, ending his prep career as a consensus national top-100 recruit. He was ranked No. 42 by Lindy's, No. 56 by ESPNU,[7] No. 69 by Scout.com, No. 69 by Rivals.com,[8] No. 73 by Sporting News, and No. 81 by CBS Sports in the 2012 prep national rankings. He also had offers from Iowa, Providence, Texas A&M, and Seton Hall, eventually committing to Iowa State.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Georges Niang
F
Methuen, MAThe Tilton School (NH)6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 lb (95 kg)May 5, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 starsRivals:4/5 stars247Sports:4/5 starsESPN:4/5 stars
**Overall recruiting rankings:**Rivals: 6, 16 (F)ESPN: 56, 2 (NH), 14 (F)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
  • "Iowa State 2012 Basketball Commitments"[30] . Rivals.com. RetrievedJune 14,2015.
  • "ESPN"[31] . ESPN.com. RetrievedJune 14,2015.
  • "2012 Team Ranking"[32] . Rivals.com. RetrievedJune 14,2015.

    College career

    Niang was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team in his freshman year in 2013. In the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament, Niang broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot, forcing him to sit for the remainder of the event.[9] As a sophomore, he averaged 16.7 points and 4.5 rebounds as the third most prominent offensive weapon for Iowa State behind Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane.[10]

    Niang cut back on his calorie consumption in the 2014 offseason and consequently slimmed down to 230 pounds from 260 pounds.[10] As a junior, Niang led the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game to go along with 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Seeded third in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, the Cyclones were upset by 14th seeded UAB in the round of 64 despite 11 points and seven rebounds from Niang. He considered entering the 2015 NBA Draft, but instead decided to return for his senior season. "I was weighing it, but I want to be loyal to the program and didn't want to go out this way," Niang said. "I didn't want to leave my mark like that."[11]

    Niang surpassed the 2,000-point threshold as a senior, averaging 20.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.[12] He was named to the 35-man midseason watchlist for the Naismith College Player of the Year on February 11.[13]

    During his college career, Niang achieved a number program records, including the first player to reach four-straight NCAA tournaments, the first two-time All-American, the career leader in games played (138) and most wins (98).[14]

    College statistics

    YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
    2012–13Iowa State352325.1.515.392.7004.61.8.7.212.1
    2013–14Iowa State343430.1.474.327.7214.53.6.6.616.7
    2014–15Iowa State343430.7.461.400.8085.43.4.5.515.3
    2015–16Iowa State343433.2.546.390.8136.23.3.9.620.2
    Career12110929.2.490.375.7625.13.0.6.515.4

    Professional career

    Indiana Pacers (2016–2017)

    On June 23, 2016, Niang was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 50th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.[15] He joined the team for the 2016 NBA Summer League, where his early play drew praise from Larry Bird.[16] On July 11, 2016, he signed with the Pacers.[17] During his rookie season, he had multiple assignments with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.[18] On July 14, 2017, he was waived by the Pacers.[19]

    Santa Cruz Warriors (2017–2018)

    On August 16, 2017, Niang signed a contract with the Golden State Warriors. He was officially waived by the Warriors on October 14, 2017. He was assigned by the Santa Cruz Warriors as an affiliate player.

    Utah Jazz / Salt Lake City Stars (2018–present)

    On January 14, 2018, Niang signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz to take up a spot previously held by former college teammate Naz Mitrou-Long. Throughout the rest of the season, he split his playing time between the Jazz and their NBA G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.

    On July 13, 2018, Niang signed a standard contract with the Jazz.[20]

    NBA career statistics

    Legend
      GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
     FG% Field goal percentage 3P% 3-point field goal percentage FT% Free throw percentage
     RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
     BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameBoldCareer high

    Regular season

    YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
    2016–17Indiana2304.0.250.0831.000.7.2.1.0.9
    2017–18Utah903.6.364.000.5001.0.3.2.01.0
    2018–19Utah5908.7.475.410.8331.5.6.2.14.0
    Career9107.0.434.364.8211.2.5.2.12.9

    Playoffs

    YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
    2019Utah5011.0.409.308
    2.81.0.2.24.4
    Career5011.0.409.308
    2.81.0.2.24.4

    Personal life

    Niang is the son of Sidy and Alison Niang. His father was born and raised in Senegal.[21]

    References

    [1]
    Citation Linkapanews.netAPANEWS. "Senegal shortlists 19 for African Basketball Championship - Apanews.net". apanews.net. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [2]
    Citation Linksenego.com"Vidéo – Afrobasket: Georges Niang, l'autre " américain " des Lions, Regardez!". Senego.com - L'actualité quotidienne au Sénégal (in French). July 15, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [3]
    Citation Linkwww.fiba.basketball"Niang keen to play for Senegal at FIBA AfroBasket 2017". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [4]
    Citation Linknepsac.org"2011 - 2012 NEPSAC Boys' Basketball All-New England Selections". NEPSAC.org. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [5]
    Citation Linkwww.espn.comFinkelstein, Adam (March 10, 2011). "National Prep Championship recap". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [6]
    Citation Linkwww.nbadraft.netPowers, Ian (July 19, 2011). "2011 Nike Peach Jam: Top Prospects". NBADraft.net. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [7]
    Citation Linkwww.espn.com"Georges Niang recruiting profile". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [8]
    Citation Linkn.rivals.com"Georges Niang profile". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [9]
    Citation Linkwww.cyclones.com"Georges Niang Bio". Cyclones.com. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [10]
    Citation Linkwww.foxsports.comForgrave, Reid (October 17, 2014). "Gorgeous Georges? Iowa State's Niang will look a lot different this season". Fox Sports. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [11]
    Citation Linkwww.si.com"Iowa State's Georges Niang says he's returning next season". Sports Illustrated. March 30, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [12]
    Citation Linkamestrib.com"Men's Basketball: Niang overtakes Hoiberg, hits 2,000-point mark". Amestrib.com. February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [13]
    Citation Linkwww.foxsports.comPayne, Terrence (February 11, 2016). "Naismith Trophy midseason list announced". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [14]
    Citation Linkwww.thegazette.comMontz, Dylan (March 16, 2016). "Georges Niang era at Iowa State produced numerous milestones". The Gazette (Cedar Rapids).
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [15]
    Citation Linkwww.indystar.comTaylor, Nate (June 24, 2016). "Pacers select Georges Niang in 2nd round of NBA draft". IndyStar.com. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [16]
    Citation Linkwww.eagletribune.com"NBA Summer League; Niang earns praise from Bird". EagleTribune.com. July 5, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [17]
    Citation Linkwww.nba.com"Georges Niang Signs with Pacers". NBA.com. July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [18]
    Citation Linkdleague.nba.com"2016-17 NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [19]
    Citation Linkwww.nba.com"Pacers Waive Georges Niang". NBA.com. July 14, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM
    [20]
    Citation Linkwww.nba.com"Jazz Sign Forward Georges Niang". NBA.com. July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
    Sep 29, 2019, 10:03 PM