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Kyshawn George’s rise with the Washington Wizards has been defined by patience, skill, and relentless self-belief. The 6-foot-8 guard, born in France, spent one season at the University of Miami before his blend of length, vision, and playmaking caught the attention of NBA scouts. Selected 24th overall by the New York Knicks in the 2024 NBA Draft, his rights were quickly acquired by the Wizards — a decision that has already reshaped their rebuilding blueprint. Now 21, George has validated that move with an early-season breakout that’s turned him into one of Washington’s cornerstones. His confidence, versatility, and efficiency have made him a fixture in Brian Keefe’s rotation and a focal point of the team’s youth movement. “I think it ties into the player I want to be in the future — one of the best,” George told RG.org. “And I think to be one of the best, you’ve got to be a leader and you’ve got to be aggressive on the court. I worked a whole lot during the offseason. I was in Washington most of my offseason for a reason, and I think now it’s just about me putting it into practice in the game.” George’s offseason was a mixture of skill refinement and physical development. He played in the NBA Summer League and later represented Team Canada at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup in Nicaragua, where he averaged 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting over 50 percent from the field. The tournament gave him valuable in-game reps and confidence that carried into the fall. “To me, there’s nothing better than actually applying what you worked on in a real game,” George said. “Especially in AmeriCup, where it’s really like a high-stakes game — you’re trying to win a medal.” Read more: Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Reveals Bold Stance on NBA Expansion to Mexico City Trainer Joey Burton, who has worked with George since his entry into the league, said those experiences accelerated his growth. “He was able to implement what he worked on — getting to the rim, being more physical, drawing fouls,” Burton said. “Those international tournaments are highly competitive and well-prepared. Being in that environment — where it means something to win — really gave him confidence.” That confidence has translated directly into his start to the 2025–26 NBA season. George has averaged 18.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in five games while shooting 53.2 percent from the floor and 54.8 percent from beyond the arc on 6.2 three-point attempts per game. His 34-point, 11-rebound performance in Dallas — which included seven made threes — has already stood out as a defining moment of his young career. “I try to initiate contact — be aggressive getting in the paint as much as possible, because it’s going to create shots for myself or my teammates,” George said. “People are going to foul you if you’re aggressive trying to score, especially if you initiate contact. That’s just the main emphasis for me moving forward.” Read more: Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns Faces Uncertain Injury Status Against Bucks George’s defensive mindset has also stood out. He has taken on assignments against stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, emphasizing the importance of guarding elite players. “No matter how good you feel, you’ve got to guard the best player to be the best player,” George said. From his beginnings in France to his emergence in Washington, George’s ascent has been driven by focus and accountability — a young player steadily turning potential into production.
