Kyshawn George may not have entered the NBA with the same spotlight as some of his 2024 draft classmates, but make no mistake-he’s turning into one of the brightest success stories of the Washington Wizards’ rebuild.
Selected 24th overall out of Miami, George has quickly carved out a significant role in Washington’s long-term plans. What started as a rookie season filled with flashes of promise has evolved into a breakout sophomore campaign.
Now in his second year, the 22-year-old forward is putting up 15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 46.4% from the field and 39.9% from deep. Those numbers don’t just jump off the stat sheet-they speak to a player who’s refining his game and expanding his impact on both ends of the floor.
George’s development has been one of the true bright spots for a Wizards team still in the early stages of a rebuild. Under head coach Brian Keefe, he’s taken on more responsibility-not just as a scorer and playmaker, but as a leader. That kind of growth is exactly what you want to see from a young player, especially one who’s already showing signs of being a foundational piece for the future.
What makes George’s rise even more intriguing is how close he came to never wearing a Wizards jersey at all.
In a recent appearance on The Old Man and The Three podcast, George opened up about his draft night experience. He described the night as “very long” and admitted he was expecting to go earlier.
“I had a couple teams that I had really good feedback [from] and it was kinda my floor and they didn’t pick me,” George said. When asked which team he thought would take him, he revealed, “It was Milwaukee.”
That’s right-the Bucks were sitting one pick ahead of Washington in the 2024 NBA Draft. And instead of selecting George, they went with AJ Johnson.
Fast forward to now, and Johnson has already been moved as part of the Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade, ultimately landing in Washington anyway. Meanwhile, George has become one of the most impactful players from that draft class-and a key piece of the Wizards’ future.
It’s a twist of fate that worked out beautifully for Washington. In a draft widely considered one of the weaker classes in recent memory, the Wizards came away with two cornerstone talents in Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George. That’s not just a win-it’s a potential turning point for a franchise searching for stability and long-term identity.
As for the Bucks, missing out on George might sting a bit more with each passing game. But for Wizards fans, there’s no need to dwell on the “what-ifs.” George is right where he belongs-and he’s only getting started.