Niang’s one of the best and the number’s back it up

AMES — On Monday night, Iowa State broke through one milestone by beating the nation’s No. 1 team for the first time since 1957, but that wasn’t the only history that was made. 

Senior forward Georges Niang passed former teammate Melvin Ejim as the program’s winningest player with his 89th career win played in.

The only other players close are Jacy Holloway (83 wins, 1994-1997), Fred Holberg and Julius Michalik (78 wins, 1992-1995) and Nazareth Mitrou-Long (74 wins, 2013-present). 

Niang also continues to rise up the ranks of the program’s best scorers as his 1,865 points ranks fourth all-time. He is just 27 points shy of Victor Alexander and the third spot.

Niang’s scoring total also ranks No. 13 all-time in the Big 12 as he took over the spot from Oklahoma State’s John Lucas on Monday night.

His 702 career field goals ranks sixth all-time and on Monday night he passed his teammate and roommate, Mitrou-Long, for fifth all-time in 3-pointers with 164. He’s now just 19 behind Hoiberg, his former coach.

Niang’s field goals total is seventh all-time in the Big 12. He is also No. 17 in Iowa State history in made free throws with 297.

Niang ranks 12th all-time in assists with 360, and the top 10 is very much in reach with Justus Thigpen holding the 10th spot with 374 assists. 

Safe to say, Niang is one of the best Cyclones of all-time, and the numbers back it up.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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