Harry Morris
January 10, 2023
George King
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 15/01/94
- Place of Birth: Fayetteville, North Carolina (USA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 198
- Weight (KG): 100
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Colorado (2013–2018)
- NBL DEBUT: 1/10/22
- AGE AT DEBUT: 28
- LAST NBL GAME: 3/11/22
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 28
- NBL History: Illawarra 2023
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: George King was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina (USA). King grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina before moving to San Antonio, where he played at William J. Brennan High School.
NBL EXPERIENCE
George King made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 28 years of age. He scored 20 points in his first game.
Following two consecutive seasons of reaching the NBL semifinals, the Illawarra Hawks faced a period of significant transition. Head coach Brian Goorjian departed to coach the Bay Area Dragons in the East Asia Super League, leaving longtime assistant Jacob Jackomas to take over as head coach. Despite hopes of continuing the prior seasons’ success, the team experienced a major exodus of talent. Only Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling remained from the Hawks’ main rotation, while Duop Reath (to Lebanon) and Justinian Jessup (to Spain) headed overseas, Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne), and Harry Froling (to Brisbane) joined other NBL teams, and AJ Ogilvy retired.
To address these departures, Illawarra brought in local players Deng Deng (via Brisbane), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Perth), and Mangok Mathiang, who had been playing in the NBL1 after recovering from a long-term injury. The team completed its roster with imports Justin Robinson and George King, the latter coming to the NBL with a strong resume and expectations to provide a scoring punch.
The Hawks began the season by splitting their opening games. They lost their season opener to Sydney (97–106) but rebounded with a convincing win over South East Melbourne (85–72), led by a standout performance from Tyler Harvey (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists). Two nights later, George King showcased his potential with a season-high 25 points in 26 minutes during a narrow loss to Perth (71–77). His efficient scoring provided a glimpse of what he could bring to the team.
Unfortunately, Illawarra’s season quickly became marred by injuries. In their opening game, Justin Robinson suffered a meniscus tear in his knee, requiring surgery and ruling him out for the remainder of the season. The Hawks signed Kevin White (via Perth) as a short-term injury replacement. King, meanwhile, faced challenges of his own, struggling with a persistent lower leg injury that affected his availability and effectiveness. After nine games, Illawarra decided to release King, who had averaged 10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. His departure further depleted an already struggling roster.
To replace Robinson, Illawarra brought in former New Zealand guard Peyton Siva (9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals). While Siva displayed flashes of his ability, he managed to play only 11 games before a season-ending shoulder injury against Adelaide compounded the Hawks’ woes.
Illawarra’s injury-riddled season ultimately led to a dismal 3-25 record, the worst in the franchise’s history. Despite the team’s struggles, Tyler Harvey (18.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals) remained a bright spot, leading the Hawks in scoring, while Sam Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) delivered consistent performances and was named the team’s MVP.
George King played one season in the NBL. He averaged 10.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 9 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 29 | Illawarra | 3-25 (10) | 9 | 210.6 | 96 | 37 | 8 | 7 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 28 | 36 | 82 | 44% | 16 | 45 | 36% | 8 | 13 | 62% | 54% | 54% | 25 | Totals | 9 | 211 | 96 | 37 | 8 | 7 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 28 | 36 | 82 | 43.9% | 16 | 45 | 35.6% | 8 | 13 | 61.5% | 55% | 54% | 25 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 29 | Illawarra | 3-25 (10) | 9 | 23.4 | 10.7 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 9.1 | 44% | 1.8 | 5.0 | 36% | 0.9 | 1.4 | 62% | 54% | 54% | 25 | Total | 9 | 23.4 | 10.7 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 9.1 | 43.9% | 0.0 | 35.6% | 1.8 | 5.0 | 61.5% | 55% | 54% | 25 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 25 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
George King was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with pick #59 in the 2018 NBA Draft.
King participated in the Phoenix Suns 2018 NBA Summer League squad. On July 6, King signed a two-way contract with the Suns and played for their NBA G League affiliate team, the Northern Arizona Suns.
In his debut in the NBA G League on November 4, King recorded 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, four rebounds, four assists and a block in a 118–108 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors.
King was elevated into the Phoenix Suns roster and made his NBA debut on December 11, 2018, in a 111–86 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, playing six minutes and grabbing a rebound with no points scored. It was the only game King played that season.
In 41 NBA G League games, King averaged 15.5 points on 47.9% shooting and 43.3% three-point shooting alongside 5.3 rebounds per game.
For the 2019 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, King played in four games for the Utah Jazz
After playing overseas for two years King signed with the Ontario Clippers in the G League where averaged 13.9 points per game in 13 games, shooting 46.6% from three-point range.
On December 21, 2021, King signed a 10-day deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
On January 1, 2022, King was reacquired by the Ontario Clippers after his 10-day deal expired.
King played 5 games in the NBA. He averaged 0.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- February 23, 2017: Traded by the Toronto Raptors (as a future 2018 2nd round draft pick) with Jared Sullinger and a 2017 2nd round draft pick (Alec Peters was later selected) to the Phoenix Suns for P.J. Tucker.
-
June 21, 2018: Drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 2nd round (59th pick) of the 2018 NBA Draft.
-
July 3, 2018: Signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns.
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September 2, 2021: Signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
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October 14, 2021: Waived by the Los Angeles Clippers.
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December 22, 2021: Signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 69% | 52% | 46% | 50% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 36 | 82 | 43.9% | 16 | 45 | 35.6% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 28 | Dallas | SF | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 9% | 0% |
| 2018-19 | 25 | Phoenix | SF | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | Total | 5 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 28 | Dallas | SF | 4 | 0 | 4.8 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.5 | 50% | 9% | 0% |
| 2018-19 | 25 | Phoenix | SF | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | Total | 5 | 0 | 5.0 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.8 | 0% | 0.2 | 0.4 | 50% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Italy - Aquila Trento (2019-2020) | Poland - Zielona Góra (2020) | Germany - Chemnitz 99 (2020–2021)
On July 21, 2019, King signed with Aquila Basket Trento of the Lega Basket Serie A, where he appeared in 16 games, averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest.
On January 17, 2020, King joined Stelmet Enea BC Zielona Góra, competing in both the Polish Basketball League and the VTB United League. Over six games, he posted averages of 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game before the season was cut short in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 22, 2020, King signed with the Niners Chemnitz of the Basketball Bundesliga. Following an injury-plagued season in the NBL, King moved to Israel for the 2023–24 season, where he played for Ness Ziona. He averaged 10.4 points and 4.9 rebounds over 16 games.
COLLEGE
George King arrived at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2013 and appeared in 26 games as a true freshman during the 2013–14 season, averaging 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in a limited role off the bench for the Buffaloes.
Following his freshman year, King and head coach Tad Boyle mutually agreed that he would redshirt the 2014–15 season for a combination of academic focus and long-term development, allowing him to physically mature and expand his role within the program.
King returned to the court for the 2015–16 season and delivered one of the biggest year-to-year improvements in the Pac-12, averaging 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range, a breakout campaign that earned him Pac-12 Most Improved Player honours.
That 2015–16 season also included several standout performances, including a career-high 27 points against Washington and multiple double-figure scoring games that helped Colorado reach the 2016 Pac-12 Tournament title game and secure an NCAA Tournament berth.
In the 2016–17 season, King’s role shifted following the arrival of future NBA guard Derrick White, but he remained a key contributor, averaging 11.1 points and a career-high 6.8 rebounds per game while starting 30 contests and helping Colorado return to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year.
After the conclusion of the 2016–17 season, King declared for the 2017 NBA Draft without signing an agent, participated in the pre-draft evaluation process, and ultimately elected to return to Colorado for his senior season after receiving feedback on areas for improvement.
As a senior in 2017–18, King produced his most complete season, averaging 12.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 40.1 percent from three-point range, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honours and serving as one of the team’s primary scoring and rebounding options.
King closed his college career with 1,294 points and 681 rebounds, ranking him inside Colorado’s all-time top 20 in both categories, while his 181 career three-pointers and .401 career three-point percentage placed him among the top five shooters in program history.
Following the season, King was invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where he averaged 18.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game against fellow seniors, earning all-tournament honours and solidifying his professional prospects.
His strong pre-draft showing led to an invitation to the 2018 NBA Draft Combine, marking the final step of his NCAA-to-professional transition after five seasons connected to the Colorado program.
Related
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