Fresno State Athletics
Paul George Supports 'Dogs in Oregon
12/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2015
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
EUGENE, Ore. --- Former Fresno State men's basketball star and current Indiana Pacer superstar Paul George took the time to fly to Oregon to attend the Bulldogs' near upset of the 15th-ranked Ducks on Monday night in Eugene and spoke with the team in the locker room after the game.
"Paul is a great ambassador for Fresno State," Bulldogs' head coach Rodney Terry said. "We are very appreciative of how he stays connected with our program. He's living his dream playing in the NBA and doing so at a high level. It is invaluable for him to be able to share his experiences with our players."
George, who sat courtside for the second half with Pacers' teammate and former Oregon player Joe Young, scored 39 points to lead Indiana to a 107-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Southern California on Sunday night before flying to Eugene on Monday. After the game, he shared some words with the Bulldogs, who are off to their best start since 2006.
"This team has a lot of talent," George shared with his college team inside the visiting locker room at Matthew Knight Arena after the game. "In the NBA, you never know who is going to be on your team from year-to-year, so you really have to give it everything you have every night. There are nights when you struggle, but you have to fight your way through it. I liked how you fought back and I really feel you have a chance for a special season. You just have to bring it!"
George played at Fresno State from 2008-10 and quickly emerged as a potential NBA prospect with his explosive athleticism, work ethic, size and ability to play multiple positions. After his sophomore season ended in 2010, he declared for the NBA Draft and became the program's highest overall draft pick when the Indiana Pacers selected him with the No. 10 overall pick.
George has since led the Pacers twice to the Eastern Conference Finals. He has also been named a NBA All-Star, the NBA's Most Improved Player and All-NBA. He played for Team USA in 2014, but suffered a serious leg injury in a scrimmage in Las Vegas that kept him out of most of the 2014-15 season for the Pacers.
Despite the adversity, George charged forward and has become an even more complete, all-around player driven to lead the Pacers back to the playoffs and competing for a NBA championship.
After speaking with the team, George flew back to Los Angeles to rejoin the Pacers, who will play the Clippers on Wednesday night. Indiana currently has the second-best record in the Eastern Conference -- two games back of Cleveland.
Fresno State (5-1) will next play on Thursday night at 7 p.m. PT when the Bulldogs host The Master's College. Tickets start at $10 and Fresno State staff and faculty can get free admission by showing their Fresno State ID at the Save Mart Center Box Office on gameday.
"Be Bold!" --- A limited number of $99 9-Game plans, which includes any nine of Fresno State's remaining 14-home games, are still available by calling 559-278-DOGS.
