Niang Makes Early Decision
Just when Georges Niang’s recruitment was heating up it has come to a quick stop.
The Tilton junior committed to Iowa State on Sunday, rewarding head coach Fred Hoidberg for his hard work and perseverance even as Niang was starting to establish himself as a priority for a variety of other high-major programs.
Because Niang ultimately selected Iowa State over other offers from Iowa, Providence, Seton Hall, Miami, Texas A&M, and Alabama, it’s easy to forget that little more than two months ago he didn’t have a single high-major offer to his name.
He began the year with recruitment from a host of top mid-major programs, scored offers from URI and UMass before the end of the season, and only picked up his first high-major offer in March following post-season heroics that saw him lead Tilton to their fourth consecutive NEPSAC title and a near upset of Notre Dame Prep in the National Prep Championship.
There may not be another player in the country whose stock rose more in recent months as Niang not only picked up his seven high-major offers but was also just beginning to hear from places like Oklahoma, Florida, Michigan, and others.
“I caught myself waiting [to see how many other schools would come along],” Niang said, “and I didn’t think I needed to wait for anything because Iowa State was going to be the best situation no matter what.”
Despite his increasing recruitment, Niang says Hoidberg was able to distinguish himself from the other head coaches involved.
“He definitely outworked every other high-major coach. He told me I was his number one guy and he showed me that I was,” Niang said. “He was the first high-major head coach to come see me and I felt like he believed in me from day one.”
Beyond his relationship with Hoidberg, Niang also liked everything he saw when visiting Iowa State’s campus earlier this spring.
“When I went out there it just felt right,” he said. “I got along with the players real well and fit in real well with the system. Big 12 basketball is one of the best conferences in the country.”
Niang’s commitment caps what has been an unbelievable year for him. It began this summer when he was the leading scorer for a BABC team that captured the sixteen-and-under national AAU championship. He followed that up by averaging 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists for Tilton all while shooting 63% from the floor, garnering All New England First Team honors, and leading the Rams to their fourth consecutive NEPSAC crown.
Georges Niang