Earning the start in both of Iowa State’s first two Big 12 games last week, freshman Georges Niang played a large role for the ISU men’s basketball team on his way to being named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week.

Niang started off strong in his second-career start and first Big 12 appearance Wednesday against No. 6 Kansas. The forward scored Iowa State’s first eight points in an eventual overtime loss and finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. 

In the Cyclones’ conference home opener Saturday, Niang led the Cyclones with a career high 18 points. Overall in the two games during the week Niang averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Niang has scored in double figures in six of the team’s last seven games and has provided a boost in the starting lineup for the last two. 

The award is the second rookie of the week honor for the team this season as Will Clyburn took the award on Dec. 3. Forward Melvin Ejim was named the conference’s player of the week on Dec. 17.

The Cyclones return to the court Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum to take on conference newcomer West Virginia. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.