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Iowa State basketball: Georges Niang makes NBC Sports Midseason All-American Team

By Brian Spaen

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If NBC Sports had to field a starting five, Iowa State basketball star Georges Niang would be among them according to their midseason All-American team.

Here’s the explanation from college basketball writer Rob Dauster of NBC Sports on why he would pick Niang.

"Niang is the centerpiece of one of the nation’s most high-octane offenses. A power forward by trade, Niang has turned into one of the nations most skilled passers, averaging 4.2 assists. It’s a luxury for Fred Hoiberg to have Niang on the roster when his point guard, Monte’ Morris, is one of the best in the country."

The Cyclones’ forward joins Jerian Grant from Notre Dame, Delon Wright from Utah, Frank Kaminsky from Wisconsin, and Jahlil Okafor from Duke.

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NBC Sports created three All-American teams, and the only other Big 12 player to make the cut was Jonathan Holmes from Texas, who leads the Longhorns in scoring with 137 total points (Myles Turner isn’t far away with 131). Holmes would lead Texas in points per game (12.5), but Isaiah Taylor has 15 points per game in his three games that he’s played in. Taylor suffered a broken wrist and has not played since the game against Iowa, but he should be back in time for their Big 12 opener.

Here’s the full roster of NBC Sports’ second and third team.

Second team

  • Ty Wallace (California)
  • Ron Baker (Wichita State)
  • Justin Anderson (Virginia)
  • Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)
  • Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)

Third team

  • Nigel Williams-Goss (Washington)
  • D’angelo Russell (Ohio State)
  • D’angelo Harrison (St. John’s)
  • Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
  • Jonathan Holmes (Texas)

Niang receiving the honor shows how important he is to Iowa State. He’s been dominant in most games he’s appeared in, and has a deep skillset among all forwards in the nation when it comes to dishing it off and getting others involved in the game.

What are your thoughts on Niang getting first team honors from NBC Sports?

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