Inside The Wizards

Wizards Rookie Ready For Breakout

The Washington Wizards are expecting their rookie to improve.

Jeremy Brener

Jan 1, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Talen Horton-Tucker (22) during the first quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Talen Horton-Tucker (22) during the first quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
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Washington Wizards rookie Kyshawn George has had to roll with the punches in his first year in the NBA.

However, he still has a lot of potential, which is why Bleacher Report writer Greg Swartz believes he is the Wizards player most likely due for a breakout in 2025.

"One of the Washington Wizards' three first-round picks in 2024, George has also been the worst so far this season," Swartz writes.

"The 6'7" shooting guard has the size to become a solid pro but has been miserable shooting the ball from three (25.2 percent), an area where a whopping 66.2 percent of his shot attempts come from."

George has figured out how to carve out a role with his current teammates, but part of why he may be struggling to start the year has to do with the team's lack of a true point guard and facilitator.

"Jordan Poole and Malcolm Brogdon can both facilitate, but neither should be considered a true point guard. Considering that George has been reliant on others to get him the ball (93.9 percent of his three-point field goals have been off an assist this year), it's no wonder his shooting numbers have been so bad," Swartz writes.

"Don't expect a breakout from George until the Wizards acquire a real floor general either via the draft, free agency or in a trade."

The Wizards still have plenty of time with George, and that should mean things will work itself out in due time, so the rookie from Miami needs to just continue to roll along with the process as the season continues.

George and the Wizards are back in action tomorrow night when Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets come to town. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET inside Capital One Arena.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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