An Iowa State basketball player says Cyclone coach Fred Hoiberg was closer to jumping to the NBA than has previously been reported. In an interview with KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa State’s Georges Niang says Hoiberg told him he was offered the Boston Celtics’ head coaching job.
“I know he is committed to us, and even after Brad Stevens got the job, he texted me, he said ‘Boston offered me the job and I turned it down.’ He said he had enough of Boston dealing with me,” according to Niang. “Whatever he has in his plans, that’s up to him, but I’m almost positive that he is going to stay around here and be dedicated to Iowa State for the next couple of years.”
Niang is originally from Methuen, Massachusetts, about 30 miles from downtown Boston. The Celtics hired former Butler coach Brad Stevens on July 3. Beyond his comments about the Celtics job, Niang had nothing but good things to say about “The Mayor.”
“He’s like a second dad to me, we’re always keeping up with each other…basketball he’s more of a life figure. Obviously any guy wants to be like him, grow up in his hometown, play for his hometown college and then play professionally and come back and coach,” Niang says.
By Jesse Gavin, KCNZ, Cedar Falls