Kyshawn George: The Most Intriguing Prospect in The 2024 NBA Draft
The Swiss Guard ascended across the Atlantic this past year, but will he be able rise in the Pre-Draft Process?
Entering the 2023-2024 collegiate basketball season, Jim Larrañaga’s Miami Hurricanes was poised for a return to College Basketball’s brightest stage, March Madness. Key contributors Nigel Pack and Wooga Poplar were destined for big seasons, all the while leading the Hurricanes back to the big dance. Injuries, though, had another idea. Pack was constantly plagued by injury throughout the season, giving way for a little-known, 6’8” Freshman PG, Kyshawn George (pronounced key-shawn).
After leaving Switzerland in 2019 for the Élan Chalon youth teams, George hit the jackpot, experiencing a growth spurt that catapulted him to his towering 6’8” size for a PG. All the guard skills George had obtained playing the PG position for years were about to set his trajectory on a new trajectory.
As DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony made his rounds to the esteemed French Espoirs league, he came across George, who flashed, putting up 17.6/6.5/3.8 on fine splits. He promptly pulled out his cell phone in hopes of helping out an old friend, Jim Larrañaga. And, well, to say the least, George might not have helped save Larrañaga’s Hurricanes’ season, but he definitely displayed his NBA-caliber skillset.
Strengths
George’s best skill is his ability to shoot the 3 both off the catch and the bounce. Throughout his only season (so far because a return is still in play) at Miami, George shot 40.8% from beyond the arc on over 4 attempts a game. Throughout the year, George was good for a catch-and-shoot 3 almost whenever you needed it. His ability to move and play off the ball certainly adds value to his stock at the next level. Relying on his jump shot in the early days of his career will allow him to develop into the player whatever team drafts him wants him to be because of his staggering frame. Also, all of this goes without mentioning George’s beautiful mechanics, combined with a high release point on his jumper.
Another aspect of George’s jumper is his confidence and comfortability, pulling from 3 off the bounce. Rarely do you see a college freshman pull and make threes with so much confidence as if he’s a senior. These flashes leave NBA decision-makers puzzled about George’s status as a draftee.
Other aspects of George’s game where he often flashes are defensively, utilizing his enormous 6’8” frame, which allows him to swallow up smaller guards. Although he has a long way to go in his development, truly unique big guards are few and far between this year, so taking a shot on a developmental guy like George with lots of tools possesses a lot of intrigue.
Lastly, I’d be remiss not to mention his ability as a playmaker. Dating back to his days as a 5’11” PG, George had always been required to play make for his teammates. This carried over throughout his growth spurt, which now allows him to thrive, making quick, simple plays throughout the game. George seems to play the right way, a testament to the European developmental system.
Weaknesses
Despite all the positives mentioned above, George has many flaws to his game and stock, adding context as to why decision-makers in the league view George as a project. Don’t get it twisted, though; George has lots of tools and talent to work with, but understanding his age is a big part of the puzzle. George, for as old as he is for a freshman (born 12/12/03), is not as far along developmentally for his age, which causes hesitation for GMs. George’s tools and talent far outweigh the negative aspects that his age possesses in a historically weak draft, though.
Additionally, George has yet to show that he can be a high-volume producer at a high level. You have to go back a whole year to when George was producing at a high level in France’s top U21 league (Espoirs), which had Bilal Coulibaly playing in it a little over a year ago. Here’s some context as to what kind of player he was in the Espoirs league:
The flashes with George are there, but he’s yet to put it all together across the Atlantic. His defensive instincts and strong shooting set him up for a positive trajectory developmentally, but factors such as his age and lack of production say otherwise.
Wrap-Up
Kyshawn George represents an intriguing prospect with tantalizing upside heading into the NBA Draft. His exceptional shooting ability, both off the catch and off the dribble, coupled with his imposing 6’8” frame for a point guard, make him a unique talent worth considering. George’s confidence in his shot and his willingness to make plays on both ends of the floor highlight his potential to develop into a versatile contributor at the professional level.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge George’s developmental trajectory and the lingering questions surrounding his age and production. Despite flashes of brilliance, George is still refining his game and needs time to translate his skills consistently to the highest level of competition. While some NBA decision-makers may view him as a project, George’s combination of shooting prowess, defensive instincts, and playmaking abilities make him an intriguing prospect with considerable room for growth and improvement. As he continues to mature and refine his game, Kyshawn George could evolve into a valuable asset for a team willing to invest in his long-term development.