UM freshman Kyshawn George on NBA radar as Hurricanes play NC State on road Tuesday
As North Carolina State coach Kevin Keats dissects video of the Miami Hurricanes to prepare his team for Tuesday night’s game, he has the same reaction about UM freshman Kyshawn George as other coaches and NBA scouts have had this season.
“I have no idea where Jim [Larranaga] found him, but he’s a really good player,” Keats said on the ACC coaches teleconference Monday morning. “When we started scouting him, as we heard about him early on, I thought he was 6-4, 6-5, but now you look at him and he’s 6-8. He’s not playing as a freshman, I can tell you that. He certainly has earned every starting minute that he has and any opportunity he plays.”
Keats added that George presents a matchup problem for the Wolfpack, which is 13-7 overall, 5-4 in the ACC after three losses in a row heading into Tuesday’s home game (9 p.m., ESPN2). Miami (14-6, 5-4 ACC) is coming off back-to-back wins against Notre Dame and Pitt.
“He can shoot the three, but he’s long enough to put the ball on the floor and finish and doesn’t need a lot of dribbles to get to the rim, so he completely adds value to their team.”
Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry had a similar scouting report on George, who was born and raised in Switzerland and played in France. George started the past three games, replacing Bensley Joseph, and has stepped up to the occasion. He is averaging 10 points in January, creating offense for his teammates, and stepping up on defense.
“He shot the ball really well, and that’s something you don’t know as a freshman, even with guys that have reputations as big-time shooters,” Shrewsberry said. “He’s a big guard. He can handle the ball, he plays in pick and rolls, he makes the other guys around him better. He’s a good fit and takes pressure off guys like Nijel Pack or Wooga [Poplar] who have to create a lot more where George loves to do it.”
Pitt coach Jeff Capel said he was particularly impressed with George’s defensive improvement.
“A really talented freshman, not just an ordinary guy,” Capel said.
NBA scouts have George on their radar and Larranaga, who has coached many NBA prospects over four decades, is preparing the freshman for what is to come.
“He’s gotten a lot of attention from the NBA almost since the start of the season because we’ve had so many scouts come to practice,” Larranaga said. “He passes the eye test. He’s 6-8, he can shoot from three. He can handle the ball. He’s getting better defensively, becoming a better rebounder. So, there’s a buzz about him.”
Larranaga plans to meet with George and his parents after the season to discuss his options. George is the son of former Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) forward Deon George, a Canadian native who went on to play professionally in Switzerland.
“He’s a young man and is going to have opportunities, whether it’s this year, next year, or after he graduates,” Larranaga said. “Right now he’s just focused on enjoying the University of Miami. When he does turn pro he’ll be hanging out with guys 30 years old with children. If I were him, I’d hang in college for a couple more years.”
This story was originally published January 29, 2024 at 3:25 PM.