Colorado University Athletics
George King (left) with draft mates Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton and Elie Okobo
Photo by: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
King's Diligence, Work Ethic Lands Him In Phoenix
June 25, 2018 | Men's Basketball
George King's path to the NBA didn't begin on draft night.
It began years ago on basketball courts in Fayetteville, N.C., and San Antonio.
It progressed during five hard-working years in Boulder.
On Friday, King was in Phoenix and introduced as a member of Suns, who selected him with the second-to-last pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.
"It was crazy, a lot of waiting, especially for me at (pick) 59," said King who was with family in San Antonio on draft night. "A lot of nerves; I didn't know where I was going to go."
As the draft was winding down, King received a text from Suns' staffer and Colorado alum and former team manager Louis Lehman, hinting that something might about to happen. That followed with a call from King's agent "that I was going next, then a lot of joy, a lot of relief."
NBA Summer League is most likely on tap next for King and his draft classmates – Arizona's Deandre Ayton, Villanova's Mikal Bridges and Elie Okobo from France – where the group will "continue to do what we do well, focus on our strengths that got us here to set ourselves up for the next step," he said.
Colorado assistant coach Kim English worked out with King extensively in the months leading up to the draft, but is quick to point out the foundation was set long ago.
"George's success wasn't due to workouts after the season," English said. "It was due to coach Tad Boyle, Mike Rohn, (former assistants) Jean Prioleau, Rodney Billups…all identified his talent and they did a great job of evaluating, recruiting and nurturing him into the player he is today. He got drafted off his body of work from five years as a Buffalo."
King played limited minutes as a Colorado freshman in 2013-14 and elected to take a redshirt season in 2014-15 to work on his game.
He exploded back on the scene as a redshirt sophomore, averaging 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds on Colorado's 2015-16 NCAA Tournament team. King was named the Pac-12 Conference Most Improved Player of the Year, leading the league in 3-point shooting at 45.6 percent.
King averaged 12.5 points and 6.4 rebounds over his final three seasons at Colorado. He led the Buffaloes in rebounding over his final two seasons and ranked fifth in the Pac-12 as a senior at 7.8 per game.
King also finished as one of the greatest 3-point shooters in Colorado history. His 40.1 3-point percentage is the second best in team history while his 181 3-pointers rank fifth.
The numbers alone didn't get King drafted. His work ethic is top notch. King was regularly the last man off the court after a team workout, putting up hundreds of extra shots. He was known to sneak in a few extra shots or free throws during water breaks at practice.
"He wasn't projected (to be drafted), going into the season or even after the season," Boyle said. "He played his way into the draft at Portsmouth and at the combine, he just had great workouts.
"If you look at the core values of our program: trustworthiness, character and work ethic, he has all three. Combine that with his athleticism and continued improvement, you've got a guy who moved himself into the top 60 players coming out this year. It shows that hard work and perseverance pays off. It's refreshing to see and I'm really happy for him."
English, a 2012 NBA Draft pick who played for the Detroit Pistons, sees a bright future for King.
"He passes the eye tests," English said. "He's 6-6, long wingspan, huge hands, an elite athlete and elite rebounder, competitive and tough defender and an efficient 3-point shooter – that's an NBA player.
"I think he's going to stick and have a very successful career in the league. Coach Boyle does a phenomenal job in preparing all his guys…Our guys leave Boulder ready to prepare to play in the NBA."
It began years ago on basketball courts in Fayetteville, N.C., and San Antonio.
It progressed during five hard-working years in Boulder.
On Friday, King was in Phoenix and introduced as a member of Suns, who selected him with the second-to-last pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.
"It was crazy, a lot of waiting, especially for me at (pick) 59," said King who was with family in San Antonio on draft night. "A lot of nerves; I didn't know where I was going to go."
As the draft was winding down, King received a text from Suns' staffer and Colorado alum and former team manager Louis Lehman, hinting that something might about to happen. That followed with a call from King's agent "that I was going next, then a lot of joy, a lot of relief."
NBA Summer League is most likely on tap next for King and his draft classmates – Arizona's Deandre Ayton, Villanova's Mikal Bridges and Elie Okobo from France – where the group will "continue to do what we do well, focus on our strengths that got us here to set ourselves up for the next step," he said.
Colorado assistant coach Kim English worked out with King extensively in the months leading up to the draft, but is quick to point out the foundation was set long ago.
"George's success wasn't due to workouts after the season," English said. "It was due to coach Tad Boyle, Mike Rohn, (former assistants) Jean Prioleau, Rodney Billups…all identified his talent and they did a great job of evaluating, recruiting and nurturing him into the player he is today. He got drafted off his body of work from five years as a Buffalo."
King played limited minutes as a Colorado freshman in 2013-14 and elected to take a redshirt season in 2014-15 to work on his game.
He exploded back on the scene as a redshirt sophomore, averaging 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds on Colorado's 2015-16 NCAA Tournament team. King was named the Pac-12 Conference Most Improved Player of the Year, leading the league in 3-point shooting at 45.6 percent.
King averaged 12.5 points and 6.4 rebounds over his final three seasons at Colorado. He led the Buffaloes in rebounding over his final two seasons and ranked fifth in the Pac-12 as a senior at 7.8 per game.
King also finished as one of the greatest 3-point shooters in Colorado history. His 40.1 3-point percentage is the second best in team history while his 181 3-pointers rank fifth.
The numbers alone didn't get King drafted. His work ethic is top notch. King was regularly the last man off the court after a team workout, putting up hundreds of extra shots. He was known to sneak in a few extra shots or free throws during water breaks at practice.
"He wasn't projected (to be drafted), going into the season or even after the season," Boyle said. "He played his way into the draft at Portsmouth and at the combine, he just had great workouts.
"If you look at the core values of our program: trustworthiness, character and work ethic, he has all three. Combine that with his athleticism and continued improvement, you've got a guy who moved himself into the top 60 players coming out this year. It shows that hard work and perseverance pays off. It's refreshing to see and I'm really happy for him."
English, a 2012 NBA Draft pick who played for the Detroit Pistons, sees a bright future for King.
"He passes the eye tests," English said. "He's 6-6, long wingspan, huge hands, an elite athlete and elite rebounder, competitive and tough defender and an efficient 3-point shooter – that's an NBA player.
"I think he's going to stick and have a very successful career in the league. Coach Boyle does a phenomenal job in preparing all his guys…Our guys leave Boulder ready to prepare to play in the NBA."
Players Mentioned
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