DES MOINES – Georges Niang isn’t looking to score the most points during the 2015 YMCA Capital City League.He isn’t looking to make the flashy play or get the highlight dunk.Niang is looking to become a better winner.
“It’s not really about scoring the most points, or really working on my individual game. I can do that up at school,” Niang said.“The one thing I want to add is just to win.”
For Niang, it’s about he improving at making what he calls “winning plays.”
That could be anything from finding the open man when the defense collapses, grabbing that extra rebound or diving on the floor after a loose ball.
The guys that make winning plays are the ones that lead their team deep into March. They are the ones that find a way to make the plays when the game is on the line.
“I’m just a competitor and I just want to win,” Niang said. “I’m not looking to work on my one-dribble pull-up. I’m just looking to win.”
If Niang succeeds in making himself better at making these types of plays, the Iowa State’s best player will become even more deadly.
The guys that combine talent with the desire to make winning plays are the ones that do something special.
Niang had a simple answer when asked what area of his game he wants to improve most before the Cyclones step on the floor at Hilton Coliseum this winter.
“I can always work on my conditioning, and rebounding is something I obviously want to get better at,” he said. “I want to work on cutting down on my turnovers, so really just seeing the floor, seeing the game and just making winning plays.”
Quick Observations from CCL
*** I have been very pleasantly surprised by the all-around game of Deonte Burton. Everyone knows about Burton’s dunking ability, but he has a killer first step off the dribble when heading towards the rim and is a very good finisher when he gets there. He also has shown a knack for hitting mid-range pull-ups and the occasional 3-pointer. I know this is just summer league but every time I watch Deonte Burton, I like his game more and more.
*** Walk-on Jordan Ashton is another guy that I have been pleasantly surprised by in the first two nights of CCL. I’m not saying to expect him to see serious minutes this winter but it is clear why he was able to be an All-American at Kirkwood Community College. He has a sweet stroke from behind the arc and can get to the rim pretty effectively from time to time. Like I said before, I’m not expecting him to get big minutes, but there is no question in my mind that Ashton can bring something to the table for this Iowa State team.
2015 YMCA Capital City League Recaps
Phoenix Renewable Resources 103, Adio Chiropractic 96
*** Monte Morris scored 27 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out six assists, while former Cyclone Kourtlin Jackson added 30 points and 13 rebounds of his own to lead Phoenix Renewable Resources to a 2-0 record.
Georges Niang scored 38 points on 11-of-13 shooting inside the arc and 4-of-10 from behind it, while grabbing 14 rebounds and blocking two shots for Adio Chiropractic. Cyclone walk-on Jordan Ashton dropped 19 points and also connected on four 3-pointers in the losing effort.
Capital Orthopedics 105, Renaissance Granite & Quartz 76
*** Capital Orthopedics moved to 1-1 despite being without guard Matt Thomas. Nick Noskowiak dropped 24 points, including six 3-pointers, while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists. Drake’s Ore Arogundade scored 34 points and shot 8-of-10 from behind the arc to lead the team.
Former Cyclone Daniel Edozie scored six points in the losing effort for Renaissance Granite & Quartz.
Hannah Homes 116, YMCA 110
*** Deonte Burton picked up his second double-double in as many games with a 30 points and 12 rebounds performance to lead Hannah Homes to the win and a 1-1 record. Drake’s Kale Abrahamson also added 28 points and 11 boards to help lead the way.
Nick Weiler-Babb was one of four YMCA players to score over 20 points on the night, who were without reigning league MVP Jameel McKay for the second game in a row. Babb finished with a team-high 28 points and 12 rebounds.
