The Washington Wizards are knee-deep in a rebuild, but amid the growing pains and lineup shuffles, a few young players are beginning to separate themselves as true foundational pieces. And if you’ve been watching closely, Kyshawn George is quickly becoming impossible to ignore.
While much of the early attention has rightfully been on Alex Sarr-the 7-foot French phenom and former No. 2 overall pick who’s blossoming into a two-way force-the Wizards’ long-term blueprint is looking deeper than just one star. Sarr’s defensive instincts and expanding offensive game give Washington a legitimate anchor in the frontcourt. Add in the high-upside backcourt pairing of Trae Young and Tre Johnson, last year’s No. 6 overall pick, and you’ve got the makings of a core with serious potential.
But it’s George who’s rapidly turning from promising prospect into potential franchise cornerstone.
The 22-year-old wing is putting together a breakout season that’s demanding attention-not just from fans, but from the Wizards' front office. He’s averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, while shooting a blistering 46.8% from the field and 40.1% from deep. Those are strong numbers on their own, but what’s really standing out is how George is getting it done: with poise, versatility, and a growing confidence that’s hard to teach.
Saturday night in Denver was the latest-and most emphatic-statement in George’s rise. In a tough loss to the Nuggets, George delivered a performance that was more than just impressive-it was historic.
He dropped 29 points, dished out 7 assists, grabbed 5 boards, swatted 3 shots, and knocked down five triples. According to Sportradar, no player in Wizards history has ever posted that exact stat line in a single game.
Not Michael Jordan. Not Gilbert Arenas.
Not John Wall, Bradley Beal, or Russell Westbrook. Just Kyshawn George.
That’s not just a fun stat-it’s a glimpse into the kind of all-around impact George is capable of making. He’s showing the ability to score at all three levels, facilitate for teammates, rebound in traffic, and defend multiple positions. In today’s NBA, that kind of versatility is gold.
What makes this even more encouraging for Washington is how sustainable George’s growth looks. He’s not just putting up numbers in garbage time or feasting on weak second units.
He’s showing up in meaningful moments, playing within the flow of the offense, and making smart reads on both ends. The game is clearly slowing down for him-and that’s often the clearest sign that a young player is turning a corner.
Washington’s rebuild still has a long way to go, and there will be bumps along the road. But with Sarr anchoring the frontcourt, Johnson developing alongside Young, and George emerging as a do-it-all wing with star potential, the foundation is starting to solidify.
If George keeps trending in this direction, the Wizards won’t just have a nice piece-they’ll have a player they can build around. And in a league that rewards wings who can do a bit of everything, that’s exactly the kind of player who can change a franchise’s trajectory.