Paul George (Part 2)

During his tenure at California State University, Fresno, commonly known as Fresno State, Paul George left an indelible mark on the basketball program. In his debut game with the Bulldogs, George showcased his scoring prowess with 14 points, contributing to a victorious start against Sacramento State. His standout performance continued in the following game against Saint Mary's, where he recorded an impressive 25 points and 10 rebounds, including a memorable one-handed slam dunk over Mickey McConnell that earned him the number 1 "Play of the Day" on SportsCenter.
As George's collegiate career progressed, he continued to demonstrate his skill and leadership on the court. On February 9, 2009, he achieved a then career-high 29 points in a crucial victory over Boise State. Despite the Bulldogs falling short in the 2009 WAC tournament, George's contributions were undeniable, including a standout performance against Utah State where he forced a career-high 5 steals.


During his sophomore season, George garnered recognition as one of the most entertaining players in college basketball, earning praise from Sports Illustrated. Despite facing adversity with a right ankle sprain in January 2010, George made a triumphant return, scoring a career-high 30 points in a pivotal win over eventual WAC tournament champion New Mexico State. Although Fresno State's season ended with a loss to Louisiana Tech in the quarterfinals of the 2010 WAC tournament, George's individual achievements were commendable, earning him All-WAC Second-Team honors.
In recognition of his impact on Fresno State's basketball program, George's number 24 was retired by the university on November 10, 2019, cementing his legacy as one of the program's all-time greats.


Paul George's decision to forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility at Fresno State and enter the 2010 NBA draft marked the beginning of his professional basketball journey. Anticipation surrounding his draft potential had been building throughout his sophomore season, with mock drafts projecting him as a top pick. The buzz reached a crescendo when an Eastern Conference scout boldly predicted that George would become the best player from that draft class within five years.
Despite discussions of potential draft trades involving the Indiana Pacers and other teams, George ultimately landed with the Pacers as the 10th overall pick. This selection not only fulfilled his NBA dreams but also made him the highest NBA draft pick in Fresno State history. George wasted no time in making an impact, signing a rookie contract with the Pacers and immediately stepping onto the court for his NBA debut against the San Antonio Spurs.


Throughout his rookie season, George showcased glimpses of his immense talent, including a standout performance against the Washington Wizards where he scored a then-career-high 23 points, showcasing his scoring ability and three-point shooting prowess. His contributions earned him a spot in the starting lineup for the Pacers during the 2011 playoffs, making him one of only two rookies from the 2010 NBA Draft to achieve this feat.
Although the Pacers fell short in the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls led by Derrick Rose, George's promising rookie campaign did not go unnoticed. He was recognized for his contributions by being named to the 2011 NBA All-Rookie Second Team, solidifying his status as one of the league's emerging talents.


Paul George's performance on February 3, 2012, against the Dallas Mavericks showcased his diverse skill set and versatility on the court. In that game, he delivered an impressive stat line of 30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 1 blocked shot, while also sinking 7 three-pointers. This remarkable display of scoring, playmaking, and defensive prowess highlighted George's impact as a rising star in the NBA.
George's talents were further recognized during the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend, where he was selected to participate in both the Slam Dunk Contest and the Rising Stars Challenge. In the Slam Dunk Contest, George captivated the audience with a spectacular 360° windmill dunk executed in the dark, followed by a daring dunk over his Pacers teammates Dahntay Jones and Roy Hibbert. Despite his electrifying performance, George narrowly missed out on victory, as Jeremy Evans emerged as the contest winner.


Throughout the lockout-shortened 2011–2012 season, George continued to demonstrate his growth and development as a key player for the Indiana Pacers. He maintained solid averages of 12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, while starting in all 66 games for the team. Despite the Pacers' loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, George's contributions were evident, even as he faced challenges in efficiency against the eventual NBA champions.
Overall, George's performance during the 2011–2012 season and his participation in All-Star Weekend festivities underscored his emergence as a dynamic force in the league, garnering attention for his scoring ability, defensive prowess, and highlight-reel plays.

References

1.  "Fresno St. Bulldogs – Utah State Aggies Box Score". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
2. ^ "SI Lists George as Most Entertaining Player in the West". gobulldogs.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
3. ^ "Paul George – Fresno State Bulldogs – College Basketball". Rivals.com. Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
4. ^ Kuwada, Robert (October 31, 2019). "Fresno State to retire the jersey of Paul George at its home opener against Winthrop". The Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
5. ^ "Paul George – Fresno State Basketball – NYCHoops.net – Rivals.com". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
6. ^ Packham, Drew (June 24, 2010). "NBA.com: 2010 NBA Draft: Consensus Mock Draft". nba.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
7. ^ Spears, Marc J. (June 22, 2010). "George making name for self as draft nears". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
8. ^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (June 24, 2010). "Buzz: Pistons still want Cousins – NBA – Yahoo! Sports". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
9. a b Staff (June 24, 2010). "Scout.com: Pacers Draft George 10th Overall". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
10. ^ Wells, Mike (July 1, 2010). "Paul George Signs with Pacers". IndyStar. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
11. ^ Newell, Nat. "Paul George's top 10 games for the Pacers". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
12. ^ "Bulls 116-89 Pacers (Apr 26, 2011) Final Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
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15. ^ "Paul George named as participant for Rising Stars Challenge". www.nba.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.