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

The Swiss-Canadian's standout performance came just days after Washington center Alex Sarr praised his on-court growth.

“I saw it all offseason and when he played with Canada. He’s using his body well, he’s playing with pace, which he was already doing last year, but now it’s even better,” the 2024 No. 2 overall draft pick said during his post-practice media availability on Oct. 18. “I’m very excited to see the year he’s gonna have.”

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

“Kyshawn George en route to stardom,” @rileyricharrds said.

“Best Player On The Wizards,” @WizardsMuse1 said.

“Kyshawn George will be a star in the NBA 1 day,” @ZFARM_ said.

“Kyshawn George might be a guy in the NBA. It’s possible,” @TheHonorableAT.

Are Sarr and the fans onto something?

Kyshawn George establishing himself as key Wizards piece

Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) shoots a three-point jump shot against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center.
© Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

George's story shows that draft status isn't everything. The former Miami Hurricane was one of Washington's three first-round rookies entering last season, but he was the only one not selected in the lottery. Now, he might be the best piece of the young core.

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George doesn't have Bilal Coulibaly's perimeter defensive skills, Sarr's rim-protection, Tre Johnson's three-point prowess, or Bub Carrington's midrange effectiveness, but he's the most versatile of the group. Although Coulibaly is out with a thumb injury, Wednesday's game showed that reality.

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

UPDATE: George followed that up with a career night in Friday's 117-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks, notching 34 points (11-15 FG, 7-9 3-point) with 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals over 35 minutes. He led the team in points and rebounds while also tying Sarr for the most blocks. Additionally, he tied for second in assists and steals while topping the squad with a plus-14 plus/minus.

Although Washington is still figuring out who will be its franchise cornerstone, George is making the best case for that title so far. Continually displaying the defensive intensity he showed in the clip below while also anchoring the offense to a victory is an All-NBA level performance.

George showed signs of what was to come last season. For example, his -10.1 net rating was the best of the young core sans Johnson, who played his one year at Texas University, per NBA Advanced Stats. Net rating is the offensive rating minus the defensive rating, both of which the 2024 No. 24 overall pick also topped the young core in.

George also averaged just five points on 30.8 percent shooting (12.5 percent 3-point) with 2.8 boards last October, but more than doubled those scoring and rebounding averages in February while adding 9.9 points to his field-goal percentage and almost 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 in during Summer League and with the Canadian national team in the FIBA Americup. Now, he's a different player.

If George continues playing like he did on Wednesday and Friday, he's a lock to make his first Rising Stars team and be one of the NBA's most improved hoopers. Most importantly, he'll give hope to a Washington fanbase that hasn't experienced an Eastern Conference Semifinals appearance since 2017 or a conference finals berth since 1979.

It'll 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 it drafts in the 2026 lottery, there's reason to believe it will in the coming years.