- Niang scored 2,228 points, which is second in Cyclones history.
- Grayer still holds the record for most points scored at 2,502.
- Hoiberg shot 40% from the 3-point line over his four-year career.
The Iowa State Cyclones college basketball odds have become more appealing in recent years as they made it to the Sweet Sixteen in 2022, 2024, and many other years. They’ve only made it past the Sweet Sixteen twice, in 1944 and 2000. In 1944, they won the national championship.
Today, you can wager on their basketball odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
But first, see my list below of the five best players in Cyclones history.
5 Best Iowa State Cyclones Basketball Players, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Position | Iowa State Years |
| 1 | Georges Niang | F | 2012-2016 |
| 2 | Jeff Grayer | G | 1984-1988 |
| 3 | Fred Hoiberg | G | 1991-1995 |
| 4 | Marcus Fizer | F | 1997-2000 |
| 5 | Jamaal Tinsley | G | 1999-2001 |
Iowa State Cyclones All-Time Greatest Basketball Players
1. Georges Niang
Suiting up for Iowa State from 2012 to 2016, Niang was a star at the program. He was a consensus second-team All-American, third-team All-American, two-time first-team All-Big 12, third-team All-Big 12, was the Big 12 tournament MVP, was part of the Big 12 All-Rookie team, and won the Karl Malone Award.
He scored 2,228 points (second in program history) and had 421 assists (10th). His 718 points in the 2015-16 season is the seventh most in a single season.
Across his four-year stint there, he averaged 16.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He turned things on quite a bit as a senior, averaging 20.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
2. Jeff Grayer
In the mid-to-late 1980s, Grayer was a superstar for the Cyclones. Across his four seasons, he scored 2,502 points (first), had 910 rebounds (fifth), and also had 199 steals (fifth).
His points are still a school record.
As a senior, he averaged 25.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Over his four-year career there, he averaged 20 points, 7.3 rebounds, two assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
This success led to him becoming a second-team All-American, third-team All-American, three-time first-team All-Big Eight, and the school retiring his No. 44.
3. Fred Hoiberg
Hoiberg has been coaching basketball since 2010, including his alma mater from 2010 to 2015.
Before this, though, he played for the team from 1991 to 1995, where he was first-team All-Big Eight and second-team All-Big Eight, and the school retired his No. 32.
He scored 1,993 points (first), had 748 rebounds (eighth), and 207 steals (third).
Hoiberg averaged 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game across 126 games and 123 starts. He also shot 40% from the 3-point line.
4. Marcus Fizer
Fizer may be the most decorated player, accolades-wise, on this list thus far.
Playing for Iowa State from 1997 to 2000, Fizer was a consensus first-team All-American, was Big 12 Player of the Year, and won the Pete Newell Big Man Award.
He scored 1,830 points (sixth) and 716 rebounds (10th). Fizer scored 844 points in the 1999-2000 season, which remains a single-season record.
Remember, these records and accolades came despite playing just three seasons.
Across those years, he averaged 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and nearly one assist, block, and steal per game.
5. Jamaal Tinsley
Tinsley began his college playing career at Mt. San Jacinto before transferring to Iowa State, where he played from 1999 to 2001.
While with the Cyclones, he was a consensus second-team All-American, was Big 12 Player of the Year, first-team All-Big 12, and second-team All-Big 12.
He played 68 games in those two seasons and started all of them. He averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game.
