AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior Georges Niang has been named an Associated Press Preseason All-American, announced Monday by the organization. Also on the team are Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga), Buddy Hield (Oklahoma), Kris Dunn (Providence) and Ben Simmons (LSU).
The Cyclone forward is the school’s first preseason All-American since Jamaal Tinsley in 2000.
Niang, a Methuen, Massachusetts, native, earned a spot on the top team after averaging 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season. He was one of just two players in the nation 6-8 or taller to average at least 15.0 points and 3.0 assists in 2014-15.
Niang enters his final season as a Cyclone with 1,510 career points, which is fifth among active Division I players. He is the only player nationally with 1,500 points, 450 rebounds and 300 assists, earning All-America honors from The Associated Press and National Association of Basketball Coaches in 2014-15.
Niang had 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 23 minutes in Iowa State’s exhibition win against Grand Valley State. The Cyclones open the regular season Friday against Colorado in Sioux Falls, S.D.
