George King (basketball, born 1994)
George McZavier King Jr. (born January 15, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Ontario Clippers of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes, earning second-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12 as a senior in 2018. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft.
King with Aquila Basket Trento in December 2019 | |
| No. 94 – Ontario Clippers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Small forward |
| League | NBA G League |
| Personal information | |
| Born | January 15, 1994 Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Brennan (San Antonio, Texas) |
| College | Colorado (2013–2018) |
| NBA draft | 2018: 2nd round, 59th overall pick |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Playing career | 2018–present |
| Career history | |
| 2018–2019 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2018–2019 | →Northern Arizona Suns |
| 2019–2020 | Aquila Trento |
| 2020 | Zielona Góra |
| 2020–2021 | Chemnitz 99 |
| 2021–2022 | Agua Caliente Clippers |
| 2021–2022 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2022–2023 | Illawarra Hawks |
| 2023–present | Ontario Clippers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
College career edit
King grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina before moving to San Antonio, where he played at William J. Brennan High School.[1] He came to the University of Colorado at Boulder and played sparingly for the Buffaloes as a freshman. King and coach Tad Boyle mutually agreed for him to redshirt the next season for both academic and athletic reasons.[2] The decision proved to be a good one, as King returned for the 2015–16 season and was named the Pac-12's Most Improved Player after averaging 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.[3]
The next season, King's role adjusted as the team added future NBA guard Derrick White. King averaged 11.1 points and 6.8 rebounds as a junior. He declared for the 2017 NBA draft without an agent, but ultimately decided to return to Colorado for his senior season.[4] In his final college season, King averaged 12.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors.[5]
At the close of his career, King finished with 1,294 points and 681 rebounds, ranking him in the school's all-time top 20 in both statistical categories. King also finished with 181 career three-pointers and shot .401 from the three-point line, good for finishing in the top-5 in school history when he graduated.[6]
Professional career edit
Following the close of his college career, King was named to the Reese's College All-Star Game, a showcase for senior professional prospects. King scored 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the game, earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the East squad.[7] King then moved to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, another pre-draft camp, where he averaged 18 points and 7.7 rebounds, earning all-tournament honors.[8] King's standout performances resulted in an invitation to the 2018 NBA Draft Combine.[9]
Phoenix Suns (2018–2019) edit
On June 21, 2018, King was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 59th pick of the 2018 NBA draft. Ten days later, he was announced as one of the players for the Suns' 2018 NBA Summer League squad.[10] On July 6, King signed with the Suns entering his rookie season.[11] Unlike the team's other rookies, King signed a two-way contract with them, thus splitting his playing time with the Phoenix Suns and their NBA G League affiliate team, the Northern Arizona Suns.[12] In his debut in the NBA G League on November 4, King recorded 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, four rebounds, four assists and a block in a 118–108 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors.[13] King made his NBA debut on December 11, 2018, in a 111–86 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, playing six minutes and grabbing a rebound with no points scored.[14] It was the only game King played that season, as he injured his ankle during his time with the Northern Arizona team.[15] In 41 NBA G League games, King averaged 15.5 points on 47.9% shooting and 43.3% three-point shooting alongside 5.3 rebounds per game.
For the 2019 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, King played in four games for the Utah Jazz.[16]
Aquila Basket Trento (2019–2020) edit
On July 21, 2019, King signed with Aquila Basket Trento of the Lega Basket Serie A.[17] In 16 games, he averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.[18]
Stelmet Enea BC Zielona Góra (2020) edit
On January 17, 2020, King signed with Stelmet Enea BC Zielona Góra of the Polish Basketball League and VTB United League.[19] In six games, he averaged 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. After the season was cancelled in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, King returned to see his extended family in North Carolina.[18]
Niners Chemnitz (2020–2021) edit
On July 22, 2020, King signed with the Niners Chemnitz of the Basketball Bundesliga.[20]
Agua Caliente Clippers and Dallas Mavericks (2021–2022) edit
On September 27, 2021, King signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.[21] However, he was waived on October 14[22] and joined the Agua Caliente Clippers of the NBA G League.[23] He averaged 13.9 points per game in 13 games, shooting 46.6% from three-point range.[24]
On December 22, 2021, King signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.[25]
On January 1, 2022, King was reacquired by the Ontario Clippers after his 10-day deal expired.[26]
Illawarra Hawks (2022–2023) edit
On August 8, 2022, King signed with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia for the 2022–23 NBL season.[27] On November 20, 2022, he returned to the United States to begin rehabilitation on a season-ending lower leg injury.[28]
Ontario Clippers (2023–present) edit
On October 30, 2023, King rejoined the Ontario Clippers.[29]
Career statistics edit
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA edit
Regular season edit
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Phoenix | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | – | – | – | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| 2021–22 | Dallas | 4 | 0 | 4.8 | .000 | .000 | .500 | 1.3 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .3 |
| Career | 5 | 0 | 5.0 | .000 | .000 | .500 | 1.2 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .2 | |
College edit
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | Colorado | 27 | 0 | 5.5 | .282 | .200 | .652 | 1.5 | .2 | .1 | .0 | 1.5 |
| 2015–16 | Colorado | 34 | 27 | 25.4 | .446 | .456 | .748 | 4.7 | .7 | .4 | .2 | 13.6 |
| 2016–17 | Colorado | 34 | 31 | 27.7 | .460 | .376 | .671 | 6.8 | .7 | .5 | .2 | 11.1 |
| 2017–18 | Colorado | 32 | 31 | 28.5 | .445 | .395 | .782 | 7.8 | 1.1 | .5 | .7 | 12.9 |
| Career | 127 | 89 | 22.6 | .444 | .401 | .731 | 5.4 | .7 | .4 | .3 | 10.2 | |
Personal life edit
Throughout his life, his parents were involved in the U.S. military. His father, George Sr., is an Army veteran, while his mother, Tresse, a Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, died in Kuwait on August 3, 2021.[30][31] He also has a sister named Jecia Anderson, who was born in 1991.
References edit
- ^ Fredrickson, Kyle (January 21, 2018). "What made CU Buffs senior George King a dominating force? "He can take a butt-chewing."". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ Howell, Brian (November 5, 2014). "CU basketball: Buffs' George King to redshirt this season". Daily Camera. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ Rooney, Pat (April 3, 2016). . Daily Camera. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ Rothstein, Jon (May 16, 2017). "NEWSGeorge King will return to Colorado next season". Fanragsports.com. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "King, Wright Earn Pac-12 Postseason Honors". Rivals.com. March 5, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ Rooney, Pat (March 8, 2018). "George King reflects on impressive CU basketball career". Buffzone.com. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "West holds off East in Reese's College All-Star Game". ESPN. March 30, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "King Named to PIT All-Tournament Team". 247Sports.com. April 16, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ Rooney, Pat (May 1, 2018). "Former CU basketball star George King receives invite to NBA combine". Buffzone.com. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Suns Announce 2018 Summer League Roster". National Basketball Association. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
- ^ "Suns Sign Ayton, Bridges, Okobo, King". National Basketball Association. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
- ^ "Suns' George King: Signs two-way contract with Suns". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
- ^ Withee, Jacob (November 4, 2018). . National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ Rooney, Pat (December 19, 2018). "NBA Buffs give CU basketball coach Tad Boyle great recruiting pitch". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ Rankin, Duane (May 25, 2019). "George King impressed with new Suns coach Monty Williams, eyes strong summer league". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ "George King Player Profile". RealGM.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ Skerletic, Dario (July 21, 2019). "Former Suns George King signs with Dolomiti Energia Trentino". Sportando.basketball. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ a b Schmidt-Scheuber, Miles (October 22, 2020). "Hearing A Player Who Totally Excelled Wouldn't Make The Roster No Matter What He Did Showed George King (NINERS Chemnitz) The NBA Is Always A Business". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ Carchia, Emiliano (January 17, 2020). "George King leaves Trento, signs with Stelmet Enea BC Zielona Gora". Sportando.basketball. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
- ^ "Aufsteiger verpflichtet George King". Basketball.de (in German). July 22, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- ^ LA Clippers [@LAClippers] (September 27, 2021). "Ready to put in work" (Tweet). Retrieved October 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Adams, Luke (October 14, 2021). "Clippers Cut Moses Wright, George King". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "Agua Caliente Clippers announce training camp roster for 2021–22 NBA G League season". National Basketball Association. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Mavericks to sign George King to 10-day hardship contract". Dallas Morning News. December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ Mavs PR [@MavsPR] (December 22, 2021). "The Dallas Mavericks have signed forward George King to a 10-day contract under the COVID-related hardship allowance. King will wear #94 for Dallas" (Tweet). Retrieved December 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "2021–22 NBA G League transactions". National Basketball Association. January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "Hawks sign American Forward George King". Hawks.com.au. August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ "George King Ruled Out for Season". NBL.com.au. November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "ONTARIO CLIPPERS ANNOUNCE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER FOR 2023-24 NBA G LEAGUE SEASON". NBA.com. October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ "George King draws on childhood values to provide leadership for Colorado men's hoops". Archived from the original on December 5, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ Garland, Chad (August 5, 2021). "'One of the most inspirational': Airman dies in noncombat incident in Kuwait, Pentagon says". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
External links edit
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Colorado Buffaloes bio
- College stats @ Sports-reference.com