Indiana Pacers Select Georges Niang with 50th Pick Overall

After trading the 20th overall pick to the Brooklyn Nets Thursday afternoon, the Indiana Pacers only had one draft pick entering the 2016 NBA Draft. They used the draft pick to select power forward Georges Niang.

Niang is a 6-8 senior out of Iowa State. He was a four-year starter for the Cyclones and was usually the team’s best passer despite playing power forward most of the time.

Niang averaged 16.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in his Cyclones career. He especially had a spectacular senior season by averaging 20.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

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Niang is classified as a stretch power forward because his skills are much more perimeter-based. He handles the ball very well for a big man and was actually the primary ball-handler for the Cyclones at times.

Meanwhile, he is a very efficient perimeter shooter. He made 55.3 percent of his two-point shots  and 37.5 percent of his three-point shots in college. He is good off the dribble or in spot up situations.

By taking a quick snapshot around the league, many NBA writers feel the Indiana Pacers got a solid prospect with the 50th overall pick.

Also, it did not take long for one current Indiana Pacers’ player to chime in about the franchise’s pick.

Myles Turner is of course from the University of Texas so he is showing Niang some Big 12 love here.

Next: Pacers Acquire PF Thaddeus Young in Trade with Nets

It will be interesting to see what the Indiana Pacers have in store for Niang. He is an excellent talent and should be able to find a role within the team. Overall, it was a solid pick by Pacers’ President Larry Bird.