[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Kyshawn George
Frame: 6’8″, 205 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: Miami Hurricanes
2024 Draft Age: 20
Stats via www.basketball-reference.com

Offense

The NBA draft is all about potential, and George may be the epitome of that type of player—a prototypical tall lead guard teams covet. During the non-conference slate, George saw multiple games where he played under 15 minutes. Whether the coaching staff was trying to bring George along slowly as a freshman or wanted to unleash his game during the conference season and surprise some teams, George became increasingly coveted as the season wore on and his minutes increased.

Offensively, his stat line was not flashing across the ticker after each game, but his impact on the court through his playmaking, dribble penetration, and shot-making showed teams precisely what they wanted to see. Spreading the floor and hitting at just around 41 percent from beyond the three-point line this year also displayed George’s expanding shooting range.

As minutes increased, George saw more opportunities in the offense to showcase his ball-handling and passing skills. His height allowed him to see over defenders, and George could find teammates on the move or floating to the wings for open looks. His growing IQ also showed he was learning in action as games progressed. Teams will want to see if George can make the correct reads more frequently to fill a secondary ball-handler-type role or as a lead guard on the bench unit.

George has shown high proficiency in catch-and-shoot opportunities and transition via pull-ups. Per Synergy, his Effective Field Goal Percentage on catch-and-shoot attempts hovered close to 65 percent this year, while his jump shots were around 56 percent from the field. If this small sample size continues to hold up, it will undoubtedly be translatable to the next level, allowing him to continue expanding his shooting and efficiency.

George plays to his strengths and does an impressive job of facing up and seeing the play develop. This freezes the defenses and allows George to make the quick decision of breaking down his defender, attacking or moving the ball, and playing connector on the court to get his teammates an open look.

 

Defense

Even though George averaged 0.9 steals per game, when he assumed starter minutes (16 games), he almost tripled his overall steal output. As a reserve, he had seven; as a starter, he upped that to 20 over those 16 games. His length and basketball IQ have allowed him to play passing lanes exceptionally well without fouling. His rebounding skills also impacted his growth, as he can grab a board on the defensive end and immediately lead the break himself. Only three rebounds a game this year may not come across as much, but as those minutes increased and he assumed a starter role, rebounding increased as well.

George’s frame is the key. He already has the physical tools to become a great defender, but he was a late bloomer this season as he adjusted to the college game. Still, he has a mature game even though he’s still young, and George quietly impacted the season as he picked and chose his spots throughout the year, was never really forcing anything on the defensive end and let the game come to him by playing to his strengths.

The coaching staff mentioned that George grew another three inches and gained about 20 pounds during the year. Those things certainly will impact a player’s game. George could adapt on the fly and use the new factors in his game, whether diving to the glass and taking a bit of a beating while still securing the board. His added length led to increased deflections, which created turnovers and additional Hurricane possessions. If he begins his career as a multifaceted 3-and-D player who guards multiple positions and lets his offense flourish naturally, he could have a lengthy career.

Looking Ahead

George jumped up boards out of the blue as the season progressed. His physical characteristics, basketball IQ, and on-court performance could lead to a first-round selection. His defensive skills and length genuinely are the things that have coaches and front offices potentially trying to jockey for the proper draft slot and get him on their team.

George’s power on the offensive side of the ball also shows he could grow to have a complete game. In the meantime, he should be an intriguing complementary player as he searches to reach his star potential. That will ultimately depend on his desire to continue to develop his game on both ends of the court.