I actually see Niang as a pretty decent NBA comparable. Regular season guy, hit some shots, play "good enough" defense.
I actually see Niang as a pretty decent NBA comparable. Regular season guy, hit some shots, play "good enough" defense.
Shifty title please fix.I actually see Niang as a pretty decent NBA comparable. Regular season guy, hit some shots, play "good enough" defense.
Let's say Milan averages 20 points the next 4 games, leads ISU to a cakewalk natty, all while shooting 42% from 3 and showcasing his floater. Is that enough for him to be a 1 and done? If not, what would it take?
yeah, I agree. If I were to amend my first statement I should have said "Niang with a higher ceiling".I think his ceiling is higher especially rebounding.
For what it's worth I saw him projected as a 2nd rounder in next year's draft.
I will say though it may be worth going through the process, because this year's draft is absolute ***.
Milan reminds me of Johnny Furphy at KU. Announcers were talking about him being a potential 1st round pick. Furphy is more athletic but doesn’t have the Dirk step back game like Milan. If I’m an NBA GM there’s no way I’m investing a first round pick in either one of these guys this year. They both need to show that they can do it every night.Playing well consistently for a whole season.
But you don't always draft on what someone can do now, you are projecting most of the time. This year's draft is weak as well so if you are a org that has a good developmental program you take a chance on a guy like Furphy in the later first round in hopes you can develop into a really good player instead of taking a 23 year old that you basically know what he already is.Milan reminds me of Johnny Furphy at KU. Announcers were talking about him being a potential 1st round pick. Furphy is more athletic but doesn’t have the Dirk step back game like Milan CCG. If I’m an NBA GM there’s no way I’m investing a first round pick in either one of these guys this year. They both need to show that they can do it every night.
Milan will play in the NBA and has a better chance than not to have a long career there. Nobody can tell if it will be as a star or role player, but his skills translate very, very well.
With that said, he's not NBA ready - nor yet at the "unproven, high pick prospect simply because of unlimited ceiling" level. That's usually reserved more for the super athletic freaks that can slash and dash.
I do think he will eventually be a first rounder and it will be based on his ability to create separation, shoot from pretty much anywhere on the floor, and have a growing defensive skill set. The beauty of his shot and how quickly he can get it off are huge assets.
However, he is a perfect example of somebody that would benefit greatly from playing 3 years of high level college ball. If he can continue to build consistency and demonstrate the beautiful step-back jumper, while also being a 3pt sharp-shooter and budding defensive player, he'll go high in the draft after his Junior season.
Completely agree.I think a lot of "college only" fans actually exaggerate how the NBA drafts on potential. You could see this when some of our fans still thought Omaha would go to the NBA in December if we didn't play him more.
The league drafts on potential if you are just an absolute rare freak athlete, maybe 5 guys a year drafted on pure potential, it's not actually common. Somebody like Milan has the frame but not the athleticism so he has to prove it whether that's in college, developmental leagues (d leagues will go back to being older players now) or Europe. If he had never had that 10-15 game stretch where he struggled to find his offense it might be more of a discussion, they'll want to see a full season without that minimum.
A lot of Iowa fans are talking about Sandfort and the NBA. He very likely will get a shot just like Naz and Thomas did or maybe even get drafted late, but he's not going to be a first round pick because he doesn't have that clear "upside" frame or athleticism that Tyrese, Royce, THT, Murray Bros, and Milan have. Even our fringe NBA guys like Burton had way more upside. Nader actually might have stuck long term if not for injuries. Monte and Niang weren't the prototype NBA bodies but just do some things so well that hardly anybody on the planet can replicate so they get a long backup career.
It is not just Iowa fans talking Sandfort to the NBA it is Givonay from ESPN who now has him as an early second rounder.I think a lot of "college only" fans actually exaggerate how the NBA drafts on potential. You could see this when some of our fans still thought Omaha would go to the NBA in December if we didn't play him more.
The league drafts on potential if you are just an absolute rare freak athlete, maybe 5 guys a year drafted on pure potential, it's not actually common. Somebody like Milan has the frame but not the athleticism so he has to prove it whether that's in college, developmental leagues (d leagues will go back to being older players now) or Europe. If he had never had that 10-15 game stretch where he struggled to find his offense it might be more of a discussion, they'll want to see a full season without that minimum.
A lot of Iowa fans are talking about Sandfort and the NBA. He very likely will get a shot just like Naz and Thomas did or maybe even get drafted late, but he's not going to be a first round pick because he doesn't have that clear "upside" frame or athleticism that Tyrese, Royce, THT, Murray Bros, and Milan have. Even our fringe NBA guys like Burton had way more upside. Nader actually might have stuck long term if not for injuries. Monte and Niang weren't the prototype NBA bodies but just do some things so well that hardly anybody on the planet can replicate so they get a long backup career.
It is not just Iowa fans talking Sandfort to the NBA it is Givonay from ESPN who now has him as an early second rounder.
He’s not a first rounder this year.He’s a first rounder now. Will be a lotto next year.
Do you even have to actually declare anymore? I have no idea.He'd be stupid not to declare and go through the process this year. Maybe he comes back but the evaluation stuff is huge.