Not to mention his representation OFF the court as scholar.
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- Thread starter SoapyCy
- Start date
All 3 are deserving. We are good. Typically that means you have good players.
Exactly this. It's what is remarkable about this stretch of players, from Ejim to Niang to Morris - and throw in Matt and Naz on top of it. For all the "transfer U" talk, it's really been a core of unprecedented 4-year players.
I didn't realize you had to graduate to be considered. I can appreciate that rule. Without that stipulation I was going to say all conversations about point guards begin and end with Jamaal Tinsley. Although a very very good player I've never seen Monte take over a game like Mel Mel. I would consider it done for Niang, a strong consideration for Ejim, and for Morris we will see how his senior year goes.
People will remember The Transfer U days, but not many of the actual transfers, The mainstays of Ejim, Georges, Monte, Matt, Naz are going to be the faces that people remember about our resurgence to the National light.
This has been the best 5-6 year run in program history. It doesn't seem out of the question at all to me to have 2-3 players from this era have their jersey's retired.
Niang for sure.
Morris depending on how he finishes. If he has the assists record, plus maybe the steals record, 1st or second team All-American or Big 12 Player of the year I'd say he's a lock. He'll have the most wins of any player when he graduates behind maybe Naz or Niang.
Ejim -No. He had one incredible break out year but was a role player the first 3 years. That jump between his junior and senior years was the most I've ever seen a player improve that late in their career though.
Niang for sure.
Morris depending on how he finishes. If he has the assists record, plus maybe the steals record, 1st or second team All-American or Big 12 Player of the year I'd say he's a lock. He'll have the most wins of any player when he graduates behind maybe Naz or Niang.
Ejim -No. He had one incredible break out year but was a role player the first 3 years. That jump between his junior and senior years was the most I've ever seen a player improve that late in their career though.
I try to picture things from the outside (not Iowa State fans). Which players will outside fans remember? Those players that leave a mark nationally that are hard to forget. Those are the players that should have their jersey's retired. The teams have to do something truly great to leave that mark in people's minds. When a national broadcast shows a banner, outside fans should be able to recognize that name.
This is what Melvin feels about this discussion and him not being included:
Melvin did lead the big 12 in rebounding his junior year. Role player is a bit harsh to describe him IMO.
Good discussion. I agree with the previous comments about this being one of the best runs in ISU history, so 3 players being honored isn't a stretch. Niang will get in as soon as he is eligible. If Monte has the year people think he will have, he will get in too. I hope Ejim does. He laid the ground work for our program to get the attention it does.
Niang and Morris should be without a doubt.
Melvin: I don't understand how someone can start for well over 90% of their games, be on three NCAA tourney games, be Conference POY, be just the 5th Academic AA at ISU, etc. and not get that honor.
Informally, the story was that Niang was jacking around at practice his freshman year, and Ejim physically took him down in the locker room to send a message.
I don't have the numbers, but I'm pretty sure there has to be a reward for being the one person to shut Niang up.
Melvin: I don't understand how someone can start for well over 90% of their games, be on three NCAA tourney games, be Conference POY, be just the 5th Academic AA at ISU, etc. and not get that honor.
Informally, the story was that Niang was jacking around at practice his freshman year, and Ejim physically took him down in the locker room to send a message.
I don't have the numbers, but I'm pretty sure there has to be a reward for being the one person to shut Niang up.
Good discussion everyone needs understand, that if it took 20 years to retire Barry Stevens jersey so Melvin, George and Monte will be given the honor around 2030 or later. Fred and Jeff were quicker only because they had 10+ year runs in the NBA, but still it took around 15 years after graduation for both of these to get the honor.
I think all three deserve it because of AA status and will eventually get the honor.
I think all three deserve it because of AA status and will eventually get the honor.
Niang and Monte for sure. Fizer eventually too. I dont think Ejim will though.
Melvin Ejim ......
From Wikipedia..
"As a senior in 2013–14, Ejim had one of the best seasons in school history, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors (coaches & AP) and All-America honors from five organizations. He was a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, became the fifth Academic All-American in school history, earned Capital One first team Academic All-America honors and was named the Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year for the second time. He became just the fourth player in league history to record 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career, finishing his career with the most wins of any Cyclone men's basketball player at 88 wins. He also finished 12th in scoring (1,643), second in rebounding (1,051), tied for 10th in steals (146) and 15th in blocks (59); he also broke the school record for games played (135) and games started (126"
three NCAA tournaments, a Big 12 Tourney Title and Sweet 16. Played on two national teams as well.
What else does he need to do?
From Wikipedia..
"As a senior in 2013–14, Ejim had one of the best seasons in school history, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors (coaches & AP) and All-America honors from five organizations. He was a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, became the fifth Academic All-American in school history, earned Capital One first team Academic All-America honors and was named the Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year for the second time. He became just the fourth player in league history to record 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career, finishing his career with the most wins of any Cyclone men's basketball player at 88 wins. He also finished 12th in scoring (1,643), second in rebounding (1,051), tied for 10th in steals (146) and 15th in blocks (59); he also broke the school record for games played (135) and games started (126"
three NCAA tournaments, a Big 12 Tourney Title and Sweet 16. Played on two national teams as well.
What else does he need to do?
Monte is on pace to shatter ISU career steals and assists records and ending up top ten in plenty of other categories. Not to mention NCAA records he has broken...and he's a four year player. If you don't hang that jersey then just stop the concept of hanging jerseys.
Few players at any school can ever say that. When he's gone we're going to realize how awesome it was to have a point guard who virtually never loses the ball for four years.
Agree. All three should be up there. Obviously three of the best players ever to put on the ISU uniform. It will happen eventually.
To be blunt. Play in the NBA or win an Olympic medal. He's very worthy of being honored but just doesn't clear the bar in my eyes at least not yet. He's got time to earn it in other ways.