Player: Gora Niang
Class: 2023
Height: 6’5
School: Cumberland
We got a chance to watch a lot of talent recently at the Phenom MLK Showcase, many names that we already knew. But, we got a chance to see a few new names that grabbed our interest, a couple of players that could certainly be a name to watch in the state of Georgia. Cumberland high school traveled to Rock Hill and it gave us a chance to see 2023 6’5 Gora Niang, an intriguing prospect that has a lot of tools that coaches will be looking for at the next level.
To put it simply, he has a chance to be a big name in Georgia as he continues to develop his game and coaches will be looking his way down the road if they haven’t already. He comes from the Congo and has only played organized basketball for two years, which is crazy to think. He is also is a terrific student and incredibly smart, both on the court and in the classroom.
Niang brings terrific size already to the floor, was vocal and a leader, and one that plays with a tremendous motor and athleticism. You can see it on both sides of the floor, bringing a nice defensive presence and playing hard in the paint (something he has to do with the lack of size Cumberland has), but also one that can be a dominant force, get on the boards offensively, and still is working and developing his outside feel on the court.
He is far from what the end product will be but this is a young man has a chance to be a big name in the state of Georgia and one you should be looking at him now.
Niang’s Game Description:
“I will get buckets; it doesn’t matter where I’m positioned on the court and defend whoever is in front of me. I like to attack and find the open man if anyone helps. Offense is fun and easy, everybody can finish and all but for me, defense is the most important. I’m working on improving my handles, shooting form, getting quicker feet, and get more of a killer mentality.”
Coach’s Thoughts:
“His development has improved greatly over the last year. We are asking him to do stuff he won’t do at the college level (playing at the four and down low) but his footwork is fantastic, as well as his ability to rebound the ball. We have a bunch of guards but we have to feature him. He is a 4.0 student, highly-intelligent player as well. He is just a workhorse and his ceiling is so high. He is so loud and vocal as well. Niang’s ball-handling and shooting are solid. With us, he has to play as a big-man which he has embraced. With his training though, he has the ability to put the ball on the deck and be a terrific player/ person for a college coach.” Cumberland HC Alan Taylor