George named to 2018-19 All-NBA First Team

NEW YORK --- Paul George, who starred on the Fresno State men's basketball team from 2008-10, was named to the 2018-19 All-NBA First Team, the National Basketball Association announced on Thursday.

This represents the fifth All-NBA selection for George and the first time he has been named to the All-NBA First Team. George had previously been a four-time All-NBA Third Team honoree.

George, a native of Palmdale, Calif., has become a bonafide NBA superstar after shining for two seasons at Fresno State before being drafted No. 10 overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. George spent his first seven seasons (2010-17) in the NBA with the Pacers and just finished his second season with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2017-19).

George averaged career highs in points (28.0, second in NBA), rebounds (8.2), assists (4.1) and steals (2.21, first in NBA). The only other player to average as many points, rebounds and steals in a season since steals became an official stat was Michael Jordan in 1988-98. Additionally, George recorded seven games with 40 points or more, the Thunder going undefeated when he did so. Among NBA leaders, George ranked first in deflections (3.8) and in loose balls recovered (2.1), second in points off opponent turnovers (4.9) and seventh in fast break points (4.5).

George, a six-time NBA All-Star and 2016 Olympic Gold medalist, made 292 three-point shots on the season, a personal and franchise best as well as the third most of all players this season. From Nov. 30 to March 5, he recorded 40-straight games with multiple threes, making him just the second player in NBA history to hold as long of a streak (Stephen Curry, 53).

Additionally, George earned All-Defensive First Team honors this year after producing a streak of 18 games from Jan. 10 to Feb. 22 with at least one steal, just the second Thunder player to ever do so (Westbrook). He also drained four game-winning shots this season, including the first of his career, good for the most in the NBA this year and tied for the most in Thunder history. In clutch time, George ranked first in steals (13) and fifth in points (145).

George is one of 30 former Bulldogs to play in the NBA and one of two currently on NBA rosters (Tyler Johnson – Phoenix Suns).

Throughout his Fresno State career, George showcased his elite athleticism and passion for the game of basketball.

As a sophomore at Fresno State, he delivered the program's most efficient season at the free throw line (120-132, 90.9 percent), ranked as one of the top 20 sophomore NCAA scorers, and averaged 16.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.4 percent (154-363) from the field and 35.3 percent (122-308) on 3-point attempts. He scored a career-high 30 points in his first game back from an ankle injury in early February 2010.

Meanwhile as a freshman, George quickly made national waves with the No. 1 play of the day on ESPN's Sportscenter after dunking on a pair of Saint Mary's defenders in November 2008 and finished the season as one of the top 15 freshmen scorers in the country. Sports Illustrated tabbed George as the Most Entertaining Player in the West in Fall 2009.

Along with George, the 2018-19 All-NBA First Team also features Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Houston Rockets guard James Harden, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić.

George, Antetokounmpo and Harden are also the three finalists for the 2018-19 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award. The winner will be revealed at the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on Monday, June 24 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT. The third annual NBA Awards, honoring this season's top performers, will take place at Barker Hangar in Los Angeles. The All-NBA Teams were selected by a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

2018-19 All-NBA Teams

First Team
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee (Greece)
James Harden, Houston (Arizona State)
Stephen Curry, Golden State (Davidson)
Paul George, Oklahoma City (Fresno State)
Nikola Jokić, Denver (Serbia)

Second Team
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia (Kansas)
Kevin Durant, Golden State (Texas)
Damian Lillard, Portland (Weber State)
Kawhi Leonard, Toronto (San Diego State)
Kyrie Irving, Boston (Duke)

Third Team
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City (UCLA)
Blake Griffin, Detroit (Oklahoma)
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (St. Vincent–St. Mary High School)
Rudy Gobert, Utah (France)
Kemba Walker, Charlotte (Connecticut)

"Just the Ticket to Build our Community" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

George named to 2018-19 All-NBA First Team

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