George’s size and shot is tantalizing, but there are questions about the rest of his game
Kyshawn George presents the Cleveland Cavaliers with a potential two-way wing, displaying an NBA-ready outside shot, with enough flashes in other areas to make him someone teams want to take a swing on.
General Information
College: Miami (FL)
Position: Wing
Year: Freshman
Stats: 7.6 pts (42% FG / 40.8 3PT% / 77.8 FT%), 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Measurables
Age: 20
Height: 6 ft 7 inches
Weight: 208.8
Wingspan: 6’10 ft
George excels in one facet offensively and that is three-point shooting. George attempted 130 threes on 190 shots his freshman year and closed the season by shooting over 40%.
George isn’t the most aggressive scorer but can score in bunches when his confidence is surging. He can knock down a variety of shots, whether off the dribble, stationary or with someone on his hip. The NBA three-point line shouldn’t be an adjustment for George who has shown that he has the release and the range to knock them down from well beyond the college arc.
George’s physical build screams NBA wing with his length and frame. How he uses both is an open question.
George has 3-and-D potential but there are concerning patterns in his play. He is prone to falling asleep at the wheel defensively. George lacks a strong feel for the game on that end which is seen in how he doubles but does not force the trap, or in the way he can sag too far on the weak side allowing for the skip pass to an open three. George needs to buy in way more on that end to reach a level where coaches will be comfortable with him on the floor against scoring options.
Offensively, George had few counters when his outside shot wasn’t falling as he struggled to get to the rim. Even if there was an opening, George possesses little touch around the basket. His lack of three-level scoring makes him feel like a one-trick pony.
Ball handling is also an area George is lacking in. He has sequences where you see creation skills on display, only for them to be muddied by stretches where George will bounce the ball off his foot or lose track of it altogether.
George in college was listed at guard, I believe Miami did this for a few reasons. One would be that George does not rebound like a player at his height. At 6’7” with a reach of 6’10”, he should be fighting for rebounds at a higher rate than was on film. Most rebounds felt like a stroke of luck rather than boxing out or crashing the glass with purpose. This highlighted some of the issues George has with opponents near his build or bigger. George not only struggles to handle physical play but also has a hard time with finesse, making him more like a mirage of a defender than a real impactor.
The Cavaliers need wings who can defend. This was apparent this past postseason against the Boston Celtics. The Cavs could decide the spacing offensively gives enough of an NBA blueprint to take the swing on George. I do not worry about George converting on three-point looks as his release is fluid and quick enough to make NBA-level field goals
George has the build of someone the Cavaliers could use as a role player to throw at taller guards and forwards to disrupt their rhythm. George with the three-point shot translating is someone who should not be at risk of being played off the floor. With a proper development track, George has the potential to be a valuable asset to any team willing to take the swing on him.
Game to watch: Miami @ University of North Carolina
George has flashes of someone who can impact a playoff series off the bench, with the potential for his offensive ceiling to be higher. George seems like a long-term project where a team will not reap the benefits for at least a few seasons. Whether the Cavaliers are the team for George to develop is where I have questions.
