2016 NBA Draft
Georges Niang, PF, Iowa State
28 points, 11-23 FG, 2-5 3FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Niang struggled at times and shined in other points. He has a thick body and IONA doesn't have many players on their team that are known for their strength. Niang had lots of success backing guys down and going to his patented spin move to get an easy shot off. He missed a few bunnies and got himself into trouble trying to force his own offense. He isn't as good off the dribble or attacking closeouts as he probably thinks he is, turning it over or throwing up a wild shot. His three point stroke is nice, even if it takes a while to get it off. He has that and a turnaround J going for him.
Where you would like Niang to spend most of his time, and where he will play in the league, is as a ball screen and dive guys who short rolls to the elbow then makes a play, the same way Draymond Green does for the Golden State Warriors. He moves the ball well and knows where the next pass has to go. His feel is great when he isn't trying to do too much. He may be undersized, but he has the strength and IQ to be a poor man's Draymond in that way with the potential to be a more consistent shooter. What he doesn't have is the quickness on defense to switch on to perimeter players and closeout from sitting in help. He will be in the conversation for a late second round pick this year and it wouldn't shock me if he made the back end of a roster.
AJ English, SG, IONA
28 points, 10-19 FG, 2-8 3FG, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 7 turnovers
English was the most interesting prospect in this game. There is a lot to like and a lot to hate. He isn't athletic enough to be an NBA wing and his handle isn't as tight as you'd like. Because of those two things, he couldn't create his own shot very well off the dribble one-on-one. The lack of explosiveness especially hurt him on D, where he couldn't stay in front of anyone and clearly gave a lack of effort. He got back cut religiously by whoever he was guarding on the wing of IONA's zone. The three steals are fools gold because the only thing he does well is jump into passing lanes for steals.
Despite all of that, there are plenty of things that he can do at a pro level. Obviously, the shot making is impressive. He has to be one of the highest usage players in college basketball. He constantly has the ball in his hands and almost every action revolves around him having the ball or getting the ball. He has good feel in the pick and roll and made several nice reads out of it. He loves putting guys in jail; getting them on his back and then either rifling a pass somewhere or hitting a lofting floater. He didn't shoot well from three this game, but he can get hot in a hurry and isn't bashful in getting up shots. The 7 turnovers came just from the insane amount of time he was having the offense run through him. His draft stock has been all over the place. Some websites think he can be a second round pick and others don't even have him in the conversation. He will be on a Summer League team regardless and seems like the perfect candidate to light up Summer League games and the D-League, getting 10 day contracts here and there, and random call ups throughout the season.
Monte Morris, PG, Iowa State
20 points, 7-12 FG, 2-4 3FG, 8 assists, 3 steals
Morris is the best NBA prospect in this game, and it wasn't even close. The best way to describe him is that he is just solid. He never makes mistakes, shown in his 4:1 assist/turnover ration in this game. IONA presses nearly the whole game and Morris was nothing but calm, controlling the tempo and dictating the way things went. His handle is always under control and when he needs to break a guy down, he has no problem doing that at all. He can create his shot when he wants to but he is always looking to make plays for others first. He sprayed the ball to open guys everywhere in the pick and roll, making passes from tough angles at times. His jump shot mechanics are less than desirable but it goes in and it looks good when it leaves his hands.
Defense is the same as offense for him: solid. He gets up and pesters guys on the ball without fouling, making them uncomfortable handling the ball in front of him. The only thing keeping him from being a sure fire first round pick is that while he is a blur changing speeds north and south, he is just average vertically. He struggled with a few of his finishes at the rim because of this. This year, Morris is a lock to go in the second round, maybe even be a shock late first rounder. With Niang set to leave, I am inclined to think that Morris would benefit from coming back another year and being the number one option on this team next year. To me, he could be that upper-classman that jumps tons of spots because of a big year in an increased role.
Keep an eye on…
Jordan Washington, C, IONA
26 points, 10-17 FG, 12 rebounds
Washington may never make an NBA roster, but he could be a D-League player for sure. He has a big body at 6-8, 255 lbs. He is strong as all get out, putting guys under the rim on box outs and post ups. His five offensive rebounds are a great indicator of how hard he plays and how difficult it is to get that guy boxed out. His game is limited offensively, but he showed a willingness to ball screen, catch at the elbow, and look to make a play. He isn't athletic and can't dribble at all, which makes him an undersized power forward who rebounds and gets the dirty buckets, even if his touch isn't good. He won't get drafted but you might hear his name pop up in some double digit rebounding games in the D-League.
Matt Thomas, SG, Iowa State
14 points, 4-10 FG, 3-7 3FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Thomas is no pushover. This kid can play. He is an elite shooter who has a pretty stroke that he gets off quick. Off the dribble he can't do much but he is solid moving the ball and making the extra pass. He attacks closeouts well and while it normally doesn't finish the way he wants, he at least can use that to make plays if he wants to. Thomas also took the assignment of guarding English plenty of times in this game and he did really well. Even though he isn't athletic, he worked his tail off moving his feet and using active hands to make life difficult for English. Thomas would be the perfect type of plug and play guy in the league if he got a shot. If he doesn't get that shot, he will make bank as a top player in some league overseas.
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