Kyshawn George grew up in Switzerland, so he by no means anticipated to have the ability to play an NBA sport in entrance of a “native” crowd.
Kyshawn George grew up in Switzerland, so he by no means anticipated to have the ability to play an NBA sport in entrance of a “native” crowd.
However as his Washington Wizards start preseason Sunday in opposition to the Toronto Raptors in Montreal, the place his father grew up, he has that likelihood.
“I by no means considered it,” George mentioned after a protracted follow Friday. “I didn’t even know that was a risk that existed.
“However yeah, I’m fortunate to have the chance to do that.”
His father Deon George was born and raised in Montreal however performed professionally within the Swiss league. Kyshawn – pronounced kee-shawn – was subsequently born in Aigle, Switzerland. Younger George went to highschool in France, then performed a 12 months of American faculty basketball for the Miami Hurricanes.
The six-foot-eight George averaged 7.6 factors, three rebounds and a pair of.2 assists in 31 video games with the Hurricanes final season. He began as a backup swingman, however was promoted to starter as a result of accidents.
As a result of Kyshawn’s grandmother, aunts and cousins nonetheless reside in Montreal, primarily within the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood on the West Island, he is aware of the town effectively. It additionally signifies that though he performed for the Swiss under-16 basketball crew, he was handled like a returning hero forward of Sunday’s preseason sport in opposition to the Raptors on the Bell Centre.
He mentioned all of the media consideration hasn’t been so unusual as a result of he would not know any higher.
“I imply, it is my expertise. It is my first time. I haven’t got something to go off of,” he mentioned in a phone interview. “I am simply very grateful to have this chance and I feel that comes with it.
“As an NBA participant, you’re surrounded by nice individuals and also you even have duties.”
George was chosen twenty fourth general by the New York Knicks in final summer time’s NBA draft.
Nonetheless, he was instantly traded to Washington for the twenty sixth and 51st general picks in the identical draft. He signed with the Wizards throughout the month.
It’s a part of a serious reconstruction mission in Washington. The Wizards additionally chosen French heart Alexandre Sarr second general and guard Carlton Carrington 14th within the 2024 draft.
“But it surely’s nice, it’s nice,” George mentioned. “We’ve an amazing group of children who all care about one another, an amazing teaching workers, and it’s been an amazing expertise general.”
He added with amusing: “I work lots.”
The largest adjustment George has needed to make to date hasn’t been the bodily or strategic facet of the sport, however moderately enhancing his vocabulary.
“Everyone knows now I am enjoying in opposition to grown males, however largely the terminology,” George mentioned of the variations between enjoying within the NCAA and the NBA. “The habits you must develop to have the ability to play at a excessive stage.
“On the finish of the day, it is simply basketball. It is about getting the reps.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed October 5, 2024.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
