CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Jim Larranaga of the Miami Hurricanes claps in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 5, 2022 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
On Wednesday night at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, the Miami Hurricanes witnessed the selection of one of their own players in the first round of the NBA Draft. Following a trade with the New York Knicks, Kyshawn George will join the Washington Wizards after hearing his name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver with the 24th overall pick. After Lonnie Walker was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft, George became the first player from the Miami Hurricanes to hear his name called.
The New York Knicks had the #24 overall pick when the Wizards intervened and offered the Knicks picks 26 and 51, which they took.
Though it’s not in the draft range, I must admit that I’m dissatisfied in the landing spot. 24 isn’t far from where some analysts had him projected to play in their drafts.
However, the Wizards are going through a major rebuild, it seems. They traded away Deni Avijda to the Portland Trailblazers for Malcolm Brogden, the 14th overall pick, and a 2029 pick. There’s not much there to get excited about, so it will be a while before the Wizards build into something decent, which unfortunately seems to be the case with the Washington franchise since the 1970s ended. At least that should mean opportunity for George to cut his teeth and get playing time.
Swiss-born George joined the Canes during the previous offseason. In the end, he finished with a final stat line of 3.0 rebounds and 7.6 points per game, including 40.8% from three and 77.8% from the foul line. On January 6, he played against Wake Forest and had his finest game with 21 points and 8 rebounds.
