Abdel Nader Picked In Second Round By Celtics

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State forward Abdel Nader gave Iowa State two players drafted when the Boston Celtics selected the former Cyclone in the second round of the NBA Draft with the No. 58 pick.

With Nader joining teammate Georges Niang (No. 50, Indiana Pacers) among the drafted players, it marks the seventh time that Iowa State has had multiple players selected and just the second time in the current two-round format.

Nader, a Skokie, Illinois native, had a breakthrough season for Iowa State as a senior. He increased his scoring from 5.8 points as a junior to 12.9 points in his final season in Ames, while also increasing his efficiency by shooting a career high 48.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from 3-point range.

Nader earned All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades as a senior after scoring in double figures 22 times in 2015-16. He posted seven games with 20 or more points, including a season and career-high 26 points at Baylor. Nader drilled the game-winning 3-pointer with 11 seconds left at Cincinnati and scored 20 points, making 10-of-12 free throws, as ISU beat Oklahoma for its second-ever win against a No. 1 team.

Nader is the 37th former Cyclone to be drafted in the NBA. Iowa State has had 10 NBA draft picks since the Big 12 was formed in 1996-97, the third-best total in the league.

With Niang and Nader being drafted tonight, ISU head coach Steve Prohm has had four of his players selected in the NBA Draft in five seasons as a head coach.