Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: NBAE via Getty Images
Three Bulldogs in the NBA Bubble
7/29/2020 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Three former Fresno State men’s basketball players – Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers), Tyler Johnson (Brooklyn Nets) and Paul Watson (Toronto Raptors) – are in Orlando for the restart of the NBA.
ORLANDO – With the NBA officially set to restart its regular season on Thursday with seeding games, three former Fresno State men's basketball players are in Orlando to wrap up the 2019-20 campaign.
Fresno State is one of 41 schools in the nation with at least three former players on the roster of the collection of 22 NBA teams remaining with a chance to compete for the 2020 NBA Championship.
Paul George, who played at Fresno State from 2008-10 and had his Bulldog jersey retired this past November, headlines the talented trio, which also includes Tyler Johnson (2010-14) and Paul Watson (2013-17).
George is finishing his 10th season in the NBA and first back home in California as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. George, who is originally from Palmdale, Calif., was drafted with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Prior to his return home, George played seven seasons for the Pacers and two seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Johnson and Watson both worked their way onto NBA rosters through their production in the NBA Summer League and G-League. Johnson is in his sixth season in the NBA after signing with the Brooklyn Nets in June, following time previously spent with the Miami Heat (2014-19) and Phoenix Suns (2019-20). Watson debuted in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks in January before the Toronto Raptors signed him to a two-way deal later that month.
2020 NBA Summer Scrimmages
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Notes: Bulldogs in the NBA
Fresno State is one of 41 schools in the nation with at least three former players on the roster of the collection of 22 NBA teams remaining with a chance to compete for the 2020 NBA Championship.
Paul George, who played at Fresno State from 2008-10 and had his Bulldog jersey retired this past November, headlines the talented trio, which also includes Tyler Johnson (2010-14) and Paul Watson (2013-17).
George is finishing his 10th season in the NBA and first back home in California as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. George, who is originally from Palmdale, Calif., was drafted with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Prior to his return home, George played seven seasons for the Pacers and two seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Johnson and Watson both worked their way onto NBA rosters through their production in the NBA Summer League and G-League. Johnson is in his sixth season in the NBA after signing with the Brooklyn Nets in June, following time previously spent with the Miami Heat (2014-19) and Phoenix Suns (2019-20). Watson debuted in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks in January before the Toronto Raptors signed him to a two-way deal later that month.
2020 NBA Summer Scrimmages
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
- Scored 18 points in 19 minutes (4-for-8 3FG) with five rebounds and three assists in the Clippers' 99-90 scrimmage win over the Orlando Magic on July 22.
- Scored 11 points (2-for-4 3FG) with three assists, two rebounds and one steal in the Clippers' 105-100 scrimmage win over the Washington Wizards on July 25.
- Scored 19 points (4-for-7 3FG) with four rebounds and three assists in the Clippers' final summer scrimmage against the Sacramento Kings on July 27.
- Scored 17 points in 18 minutes on 7-for-11 shooting (3-for-5 3FG) with two rebounds in the Nets' 124-119 scrimmage win over San Antonio Spurs on July 25.
- Scored 11 points in 18 minutes (2-3 3FG) with two rebounds and a steal in the Net's final summer scrimmage against the Utah Jazz on July 27.
- Played the final 2:07 with a rebound in the Raptors' 94-83 scrimmage win over the Houston Rockets on July 24.
- Scored two points with two rebounds and assists in the Raptors' 110-104 scrimmage win over the Portland Trail Blazers on July 26.
- Scored seven points with a 3-pointer, four rebounds and a steal in 11 minutes in the Raptors' final summer scrimmage against the Phoenix Suns on July 28.
Notes: Bulldogs in the NBA
- Fresno State has produced 31 NBA players, which includes five first round NBA draft picks (22 total NBA draft picks).
- Fresno State is one of 41 schools in the nation with at least three former players on the roster of the 22 NBA teams to qualify for the league's resumption in the Orlando.
- The Bulldogs (George, Johnson and Watson) and UNLV Runnin' Rebels (Khem Birch, Patrick McCaw and Derrick Jones Jr.) lead the Mountain West with a conference-best three players featured in the 2020 NBA restart.
2025-26 MBB Season Recap
Wednesday, March 18
MBB Pregame Interview: 2026 Mountain West Tournament
Wednesday, March 11
Return to Selland: Press Conference
Friday, October 17
MBB: Highlight vs. San Diego [12/14/24]
Tuesday, December 17