Kyshawn George grew up in Switzerland and never expected he would play in the NBA in front of his “hometown” crowd.
But his opportunity has arrived as his Washington Wizards begin their preseason Sunday against the Toronto Raptors in Montreal, where his father grew up.
“I never thought about it,” George said after a long practice session on Friday. “I didn’t even know it was a possibility.
“But yes, I’m blessed to have the opportunity to do that.”
His father, Deon George, was born and raised in Montreal, but played professionally in the Swiss league, so Kyshawn (pronounced K-Shawn) was born in Aigle, Switzerland. After graduating from high school in France, young George played one year on the American college basketball team for the Miami Hurricanes.
The 6-foot-8 George averaged 7.6 points, 3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31 games for the Hurricanes last season. He started as a backup swingman, but was promoted to starter due to injury.
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Kyshawn’s grandmother, aunts and cousins all still live in Montreal (mainly near the western island of Côte-des-Neiges), so he knows the city well. It also means that, even though he played for Switzerland’s under-16 basketball team, he was treated as a returning hero ahead of Sunday’s preseason game against the Raptors at the Bell Centre.
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He said he didn’t find all the media attention all that strange because he didn’t know any better.
“What I’m saying is my experience. It’s my first time. I have nothing to base myself on,” he said in a phone interview. “I’m really grateful to have this opportunity, and I think it’s worth it.
“Being an NBA player surrounds you with great people and it comes with responsibilities.”
George was selected by the New York Knicks with the 24th overall pick in last summer’s NBA draft.
However, he was immediately traded to Washington with the 26th and 51st overall picks in the same draft. He signed with the Wizards within that month.
He is involved in a major reconstruction project in Washington. The Wizards also selected French center Alexandre Sarr with the second overall pick and guard Carlton Carrington with the 14th pick in the 2024 draft.
“But it’s really good. “I really like it.” George said. “We have great young players who look out for each other, a great coaching staff, and it’s been a great experience overall.”
He then added, “I’m working hard,” causing laughter.
The biggest adjustment George has had to make so far hasn’t really been the physical or strategic aspects of the game, but rather improving his vocabulary.
“We all know I’m playing against grown men now, but most of the terminology is terminology,” George said of the differences between playing in the NCAA and NBA. “It’s a habit you have to develop to play at a high level.
“At the end of the day, it’s just basketball. “It’s about recruiting people in charge.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 5, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
