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be taken. George rewarded the team’s faith in him by earning his way into the starting lineup (he started a total of 19 games in 2010–2011 and played in 61) and added 476 points, 62 steals, and 224 total rebounds. George was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie second team. His successful rookie year served as a foundation for him to build on as he turned himself into a premier player in the NBA. Since being traded to Oklahoma City in 2017, George has paired with point guard Russell Westbrook to become master ball thieves—displaying a talent they both share for stealing the basketball from their opponents. He joined the 10,000 career points club during the 2018–2019 season and has established himself as a force on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. George’s ability to steal the ball makes him a lethal defender on the floor, and he is considered one of the best two-way players in the NBA. George is respected not only for his three-point shooting ability and unselfish play on the offensive side of the basketball, but also for his defensive skill and the pure athleticism he brings every night to the floor. George was not highly sought after as a high school player. He did play for a few Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams, however, and managed to raise his profile enough to receive a recruiting offer from California State University at Fresno, also referred to as Fresno State (nickname: “Bulldogs”). Two years of college basketball were enough for NBA scouts to notice him and give him an opportunity to play at the professional level. George was an important piece to Indiana’s winning formula, helping lead the team to the playoffs in all but one of his seven seasons. He is an important part of the Thunder’s playoff ambitions and his addition to the squad has raised its prospects for the future!

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CHAPTER 1: GREATEST MOMENTS