Why Alex Sarr shares Wizards fans’ excitement over Keyshon George

WASHINGTON – Washington The Wizards didn’t have their best outing in the season opener on Wednesday, but the narrative within the fan base has gained momentum. Second-year wing Kishawn George was one of their best players in the 133-120 loss to the Milwaukee Buckswho scored 21 points (7-15 FG, 3-6 3-point) with nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal in a team-high 32 minutes.

The outstanding performance of the Swiss and Canadian came just days after the Washington center Alec Sarr praised his growth on the field.

“I saw it all in the offseason and when he was playing for Canada. He’s using his body well, playing with pace, which he did last year, but now it’s even better,” the 2024 No. 2 overall draft pick said during his post-practice media availability on Saturday. “I’m very excited to see what kind of year he’s going to have.”

Alex Sarr on how Keeshon George has gotten better:

“I saw it all in the offseason and when he played with Canada. He uses his body well, plays with pace, which he already did last year, but now it’s even better. I’m very excited to see the year he’s going to have.” pic.twitter.com/JB0p0Fs4Dz

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) October 18, 2025

George has been adored by Wizards fans on social media since his improvement in the second half of last season, and Wednesday’s outing helped.

“Kishavn George on the Road to Fame,” @rileirichards said.

“Best Wizards Player” @WizardsMuse1 said.

“Kishawn George will be an NBA star one day,” @ZFARM_ said.

“Kishawn George could be the guy in the NBA. It’s possible,” @TheHonorableAT.

Are Sar and the fans on to something?

Keyshawn George has established himself as a key player for the Wizards

George’s story shows that draft status isn’t everything. The former Miami Hurricane was one of Washington’s three first-round picks entering last season, but was the only one not picked in the lottery. Now he could be the best part of the young core.

George doesn’t have the defensive skills of Bilal Coulibaly, Sarr’s rim protection, Tre Johnson’s three-point power or Bub Carrington’s mid-range efficiency, but he’s the most versatile of the bunch. Although Coulibaly is out with a thumb injuryWednesday’s game showed that reality.

George had the most points, assists and blocks among himself, Sarr, Johnson and Carrington in the contest. The 21-year-old had two less rebounds than the seven-foot Sarr, and his field goal percentage was just 3.3 percent lower than Sarr’s despite hitting five more shots. He also had just one fewer three-point shot on two fewer attempts than Johnson, while he, Johnson and Carrington each had a steal.

Last season presented a similar picture. George’s -10.1 net rating was the best of the group without Johnson, who played his senior year at the University of Texas, according to Advanced NBA Statistics. Net rating is offensive rating minus defensive rating, both of which the 24th overall pick was also atop a young core.

George averaged just five points on 30.8 percent shooting (12.5 percent 3-point) with 2.8 boards in October last season, but he more than doubled his scoring and rebounding averages in February, adding 9.9 points to his field goal percentage and nearly quadrupling his three-point clip. The work didn’t stop after the season ended in April, as the 6-foot-8, 200-pounder got more reps during Summer League and with Canada’s national team in the FIBA ​​America’s Cup. He looks like a different player now than he did last October.

If George continues to play like he did on Wednesday, he will surely make his first team Rising Stars and be one of the NBA’s most improved players. Most importantly, it will give hope to a Washington fan base that hasn’t experienced an Eastern Conference semifinal appearance since 2017 or a conference finals berth since 1979.

It will take more than George’s ascension for the franchise to reach those heights again, but between the development of the aforementioned players as well as whoever they draw in the 2026 lottery, there’s reason to believe it will be in the coming years.