Drafted by Pacers, Niang ready to prove himself in NBA

The guy who essentially grew up in the shadow of others who were better than him throughout the Boston-area Amateur Athletic Union circuit — primarily Nerlens Noel — is another step closer to realizing a dream.

Georges Niang was picked by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA Draft Thursday night. He was the 50th pick of the 60-player draft.

The former Iowa State two-time All-American still must make the team; nothing is guaranteed to most second-rounders, but that’s all right.

“I’m used to proving myself to people who might doubt my ability,” Niang told The Register last week.

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The 6-foot-8 power forward/center averaged 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds while leading Iowa State to its fifth NCAA Tournament in a row last season. He was a 39.2 percent 3-point shooter. He upped his scoring average to 28.7 in three NCAA Tournament games.

“When coaches came to watch our games back home, I wasn’t always the guy who stuck out,” Niang told The Register last season. “I was just the guy working hard, doing my best to be the best player I could be.”

Niang is the eighth Iowa State player drafted since 2000, and first since Royce White was a Houston first-round pick in 2012.

Niang isn’t a great athlete. He’s not been a great defender. He’s not a great leaper.

“He’s a power forward who passes like a guard,” said a scout who didn’t want his name used.

Niang’s basketball IQ is exceptional. He’s a good locker room guy.

“Because of his ability to see the floor and because he can shoot — he’s an attractive player,” ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla said. “Don’t overlook the fact that he has a great feel for the game.

“There’s 250 players in the league; not everybody is a superstar.

“It would not surprise me at all to see Georges stick around the league 10 or so years.”

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