Ranking Paul George’s best college performances
Paul George’s time displaying his skills on a collegiate basketball court was transient. Yet, despite spending only two seasons in the unpaid ranks before taking his jaw-dropping skills and elite athleticism to the pros and the LA Clippers, George dominated. With the 2022 NBA Draft taking place tomorrow, many of the league’s future stats will craft their own legacy while leaving their college days behind them.
Still, as we prepare to usher in the next generation, George can’t help but smile as he reflects on how easily he destroyed his competition when he was a member of Fresno State.
For his career, George strung together two solid seasons, averaging 15.5 points per game. While not the most captivating stat line, George, as a raw teenager, displayed some of the same skill set that has allowed him to carve out his own Hall of Fame likely career at the next level.
At times, George was myopic on the court, unwilling to step on the toes of his teammates, even when his talent screamed that he should be the focal point of the offense night in and night out. When George forced the issue, the results spoke for themselves, as he often tore through his opponents on a nightly basis.
On which collegiate occasions did George flash his NBA ready skill set? Keep reading, and we’ll tell you his best games at Fresno State.
Date: November 11th, 2008
Stats: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 56.3 fg%
Paul George towered over his competition, both physically and with his overall game. The lanky forward and future NBA star punished teams at Knight High School. As a senior, George had established himself as one of the best players in the country. He wrapped up his final year by averaging 23.2 points and 11.2 rebounds while winning countless awards.
Yet, despite his silky smooth offensive game and rugged defensive chops, George was viewed as a three-star recruit. His lack of plentiful offers pushed him to Fresno State.
In only the second game of his collegiate career, George forced talent evaluators to rethink the way they viewed him. In spite of playing against bigger and stronger competition, George overwhelmed a terrific Saint Mary’s team, dropping 25 points on 56.3% shooting from the field and 40% from behind the line. Fresno State was overwhelmed as a whole, coming up woefully short by 14 points but in only the second game of his college career, George proved that he belonged on the grandest of stages.