Who is Georges Niang? Check His Stats, Early Life, Education, Career, and More

Georges Niang is a professional basketball player in the NBA who is often affectionately known as "The Minivan" by fans and commentators. Born on 17 June 1993, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Niang has carved out a respectable career in a league dominated by towering athletes. He is well-known for his accurate shooting and adaptable forward style. Additionally, he is a very tough opponent to deal with due to his strong basketball IQ and consistent outside shooting. After joining the Atlanta Hawks in February 2025, he is currently playing for them.

Check Out: Who Was Bobby Sherman? Check Out His Age, Career, and Surprising Facts

Early Life 

Niang's journey in basketball began in Massachusetts, where his talent quickly became apparent. He attended Tilton School in New Hampshire, where he became a standout high school player. He concluded his prep career as one of Tilton School's greatest, amassing a school-record 2,372 points and earning numerous accolades, including the 2012 NEPSAC Class AA Player of the Year. In addition to this, he was considered a top-100 national recruit.

Education

He went to Iowa State University at the collegiate level and played for the University from 2012 to 2016. There, he truly blossomed into a prominent figure in college basketball. Moreover, in the whole of Iowa State, he became the first player to reach four straight NCAA tournaments. His strong college career positioned him for the NBA draft.

Professional Career

In 2016, Georges Niang made his NBA debut after being chosen by the Indiana Pacers with the 50th overall choice in the second round of the draft. His early career saw him navigate stints with the Pacers and their G League affiliate before joining the Utah Jazz in 2018. He started to establish himself as a valuable "stretch four" with the Jazz. With his ability to hit three-pointers, this power forward might spread the floor.

After three seasons with the Jazz, Niang moved to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021. There, he continued to be a reliable bench presence and provided much-needed spacing. In 2023, he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers and continued playing there until early 2025. Recently, in February 2025, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Throughout his career, he has been a dependable role player and strong outside shooter.

Georges Niang Stats

Niang's NBA career has seen him play 9 seasons for 5 teams. His role has primarily been that of a valuable bench player, offering scoring punch and floor spacing. His statistics for the 2024-25 season with Cleveland/Atlanta are shown below: 

Source: NBA stats aggregated by Basketball-Reference.com

Awards and Achievements

Georges Niang’s list of achievements primarily highlights his stellar collegiate career at Iowa State University. He was a two-time All-American who earned Third-Team recognition in 2015 and Consensus Second-Team honours in 2016. In 2016, he received the prestigious Karl Malone Award, which is presented to the nation's top power forward. Moreover, he distinguished himself as the Big 12 Tournament MVP in 2015. He was also a two-time First-Team All-Big 12 selection in both 2015 and 2016, following a Third-Team selection in 2014 and making the Big 12 All-Rookie team in 2013. In his professional career, he also earned an All-NBA G League First Team honour in 2018 and showcased his consistent impact beyond college. Notably, in 2024, he was also a finalist for the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.

Check Out:Who is Lionel Messi? Check His Stats, Birthday, Career & Achievements

Key Facts About Georges Niang

• As of February 2025, Georges Niang plays for the Atlanta Hawks.

• He primarily plays Power Forward (PF) and Small Forward (SF).

• He is widely known as "The Minivan."

The transformation of Georges Niang from a second-round draft pick to a well-respected NBA veteran is a testament to his tenacity and flexibility. He is a great asset to any team in the modern NBA because of his ability to play regularly as a stretch forward, especially with his long-range shooting.