The Washington Wizards haven’t had a true go-to player since John Wall and Bradley Beal dominated the DMV area in the mid-2010s. However, second-year pro Kyshawn George has arrived, and the rest of the league must take notice.
Wizards Finally Have Their Superstar
George is ready to make a true mark on the league, and the Wizards need to harness his potential. While his journey has been up-and-down to start, his first two games of the season show his untapped potential. Could he be the answer to the franchise’s newest problem?
Rookie Roller Coaster
George, much like the rest of the 2024 draft class, didn’t have a stellar rookie season.
He did showcase potential for a solid two-way rotation player, but also flashed problems with consistency. Across his 68 appearances, he averaged just 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 37.2% from the field and 32.2% from 3. As the season went along, George really began to improve, having his best scoring month in February. In 10 games, he averaged 10.8 points per contest and canned 44.0% of his 3s. After the All-Star, there was a slight or significant uptick in all of his numbers.
Offseason Growth
Entering the offseason, George looked like a clear rotation player with a chance to pick up starter minutes. That belief was insulated when he showed out in his first-ever international tournament with Canada, pushing them to a fourth-place finish while landing FIBA’s All-AmeriCup team. Not only did he outplay teammates Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr, who joined France for the EuroBasket tournament, but he put himself in the conversation of ‘the best player on the Wizards roster.’
At that point, it seemed more obvious than ever that George was destined for a breakout campaign. The first two games of the 2025-26 season have shown that and more.
Breakout Start
In the first two games of the season, George has looked like a better version of the all-around threat that he put on display last year, and Washington has put his potential on display.
Watch Kyshawn George’s tape from tonight.
Got to his spots, moved purposefully without the ball, hands in passing lanes, fluid passer, and orchestrated the offense.
Easily his best game as a pro: 34 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks 11-15 FG, 7-9 3PT. pic.twitter.com/to4PjPUqjq
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) October 25, 2025
He’s now averaging 27.5 points and set a new career high (34) against the Dallas Mavericks. He became the youngest player in franchise history to score 20+ in the first two games of the year. He’s shooting 66.7% from 3 on 15 attempts, and right at 60% from the field over the two-game span. Additionally, he’s grabbed 20 rebounds to start the season, securing the second double-double of his NBA career against Dallas.
Not only is he dominating offensively and statistically, but he’s hit another level defensively. Across these two games, he has a total of five blocks and three steals across the two-game span.
The Last Word
Suffice it to say, George is putting on a show, but can it last?
If so, the Wizards now have a true first option. With that being said, Wizards supporters will hope that George can continue to excel throughout the season. Not only could he insert himself as a centerpiece for the future if he can keep it up, he may be up for the Most Improved Player award.
© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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