March 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nLike so many young hoopers, George studied the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer from afar. The 22-year-old swingman for the rebuilding Wizards, who grew up in Switzerland, played pro (just wanted you to see this change \u2014 pro instead of high school)\u00a0ball in France and went to college in Miami, recalls replaying highlights of Durant and trying to emulate his game. One of his favorite moments was when Durant drilled a game-winning 3 at the buzzer to beat the Dallas Mavericks at the beginning of the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.<\/p>\n
Before injuring his elbow in that March game against the Rockets, George was in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He hasn\u2019t played since due to a partial ligament tear and the Wizards announced Thursday that George will miss the rest of the season. The team said he \u201cis expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.\u201d<\/p>\n
George scored 16 points in 22 minutes that night, but it was the quick exchange with Durant that left a memorable impact. It offered a glimpse into just how much one of George\u2019s childhood idols still loves the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sport is fun, for one,\u201d Durant told The Athletic. \u201cI enjoy the details, the process of the sport. I want to see other players get everything I got out of the game. On and off the court.\u201d<\/p>\n
Durant, now in his 18th NBA season, doesn\u2019t go out of his way to mentor everyone, but he makes himself available to anyone who has a question about the game and his journey. After all his highs and lows in basketball, Durant knows that he has a wealth of knowledge to share from his experience and appreciates the curiosity from players who are just trying to get better.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf somebody has a question, needs some advice, and seeks it out, then I\u2019m gonna give it to him as honest as I can,\u201d Durant said. \u201cI want players to reach their full potential. And I want them to get everything on and off the court cause there\u2019s a lot that comes with this lifestyle if you do it right.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a love that is clear for his peers \u2014 from rookies to veterans \u2014 to see. On the night that George asked Durant his questions, the young man with the curiousity and the confidence to ask for advice about a move he was working on, got the wisdom he was seeking from one of his childhood heroes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shows that he really truly loves the game,\u201d George said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s more than just being individually better than the other guy \u2026 but I just think it was cool and good from his part to give a little tip to somebody that\u2019s trying to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n
George said most of his friends didn\u2019t hit him up after the exchange. It was mainly just his friends from back home in Switzerland who dropped the video in their group chat and asked him about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just told them it was a simple conversation,\u201d George said. \u201cI asked the question, he answered, I said thank you, and have a good night.\u201d<\/p>\n
George didn\u2019t make plans to work out with Durant, but he didn\u2019t need to. The value was in Durant\u2019s answer \u2014\u00a0and what he took from it.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust his consistency,\u201d George said. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t waste any effort when he plays. I think that\u2019s something that\u2019s really commendable. You can get caught up in taking 20 dribbles before you take a shot, but if you look at him, he\u2019s damn near 50\/40\/90 every single season so it\u2019s something that I really look up to \u2014\u00a0to like to be super efficient on the court.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s exactly what Durant wants to be for a generation of players who patterned their games after him growing up. He\u2019s like the uncle who\u2019s there if you ever need him.<\/p>\n
George hasn\u2019t played in a game since the night he asked Durant his question in early March, but the lesson landed. Not in a private workout or a long conversation \u2014\u00a0but a quick exchange that reinforced the standard George has been chasing since he watched Durant from the other side of the world: greatness.<\/p>\n