Paul Clifton Anthony George Sr. (born May 2, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "PG-13", he is a nine-time NBA All-Star and six-time member of the All-NBA Team, as well as a four-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team.
George played high school basketball for Knight High School before playing two seasons of college basketball for the Fresno State Bulldogs. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 10th overall pick of the 2010 NBA draft, and earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. He was named the NBA Most Improved Player in 2013, when he also earned his first All-Star selection and led the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals trip since 2004.
George suffered a broken leg in 2014 while competing for a roster spot on the United States national team for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. He missed most of the 2014–15 season, but recovered to become an All-Star again in 2016, when he also won an Olympic gold medal. He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017, and played two seasons for the Thunder before he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019. The Clippers appeared in the playoffs four times during his tenure, including their first trip to the Conference Finals in 2021. George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2024, where he played until he was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2026.
Contents
Early life
George was born in Los Angeles County in Palmdale, California, and is the son of Paul George and Paulette George. He grew up with two older sisters: Teiosha, who played basketball at Pepperdine, and Portala, who played volleyball at CSU-San Bernardino. George idolized Lakers star Kobe Bryant, and he grew up rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. George spent most of his free time playing basketball at the park or one-on-one against his older sister Teiosha. He attended Knight High School and played for Pump and Run of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) where he played with Jrue Holiday.
High school career
George attended Knight High School in Palmdale. As a sophomore, he began the season on the JV team and was moved up to varsity after the season started. Recruiters began noticing George during the summer of 2007, when he competed in AAU tournaments. Sensing George's potential, his coach handed him a leading role his senior season. That year, George led Knight to the Golden League championship, and was named the Golden League Most Valuable Player, the Antelope Valley Press Player of the Year, and a member of the Daily News 2007–08 All-Area Boys' basketball team. He ended his senior year averaging 23.2 points and 11.2 rebounds.
George was not considered a major prospect by colleges. Rivals.com labeled him as a three-star recruit and ranked him 20th among a class of California prospects that was highlighted by Jrue Holiday and DeMar DeRozan. George verbally committed to Santa Clara, the first school that offered him a scholarship, but he later de-committed from them because his high school coach thought he should keep his options open. After a positive experience attending Teiosha's Midnight Madness event at Pepperdine University, George committed to Pepperdine on August 9, 2007. Midway through his senior season, he de-committed from Pepperdine after coach Vance Walberg resigned from the program. He ultimately chose Fresno State over offers from schools like Georgetown and Penn State because it was closer to home which allowed for his family to watch his games and because he liked the campus.
College career
George played two years at California State University, Fresno, more commonly known as Fresno State. In his first game with the Bulldogs, he scored 14 points in a winning effort against Sacramento State. The following game, George recorded 25 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort against Saint Mary's. Despite the loss, he made an impression with his one-handed slam dunk over Mickey McConnell that earned him SportsCenter's number 1 "Play of the Day" for November 18, 2008. On February 9, 2009, he scored a then career-high 29 points to lead the Bulldogs to an 88–82 victory over Boise State. In the 2009 WAC tournament, the Bulldogs were matched up against Hawaii and advanced to the quarterfinal against the top-seeded Utah State Aggies. During the game, he forced a career-high 5 steals and finished with a team-high 16 points in a loss against the Bulldogs to a score of 85–68. With a 13–21 record, the team failed to qualify for the 2009 NCAA tournament. He led the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in minutes played (1,176) and finished second in 3-point shooting (44.7%), steals (59) and steals per game (1.74). His 3-point field goal percentage was the third-best in the Fresno State Bulldogs men's basketball program. He started all 34 games and finished the season averaging 14.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game on 47.0% from the field.
Entering his sophomore season, he was named the most entertaining player in the West region and the eighth most entertaining player in college basketball by Sports Illustrated in their list of the "Top 16 Most Entertaining Players in College Basketball". On January 21, 2010, he sprained his right ankle against Utah State and missed the next four games. He made his return on February 11, scoring a career-high 30 points in a winning effort over eventual WAC tournament champion New Mexico State. During the 2010 WAC tournament, he recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds, in a loss against Louisiana Tech in the quarterfinals. The team finished the season 15–18, with George averaging 16.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 steals while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 90.9 percent from the line. He was named All-WAC Second-Team and ranked second in the WAC in free throw percentage (90.9%), steals (64) and steals per game (2.2).
On November 10, 2019, George's number 24 was retired by Fresno State.
Professional career
Indiana Pacers (2010–2017)
On March 31, 2010, George announced that he would forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility at Fresno State and enter the 2010 NBA draft. He made his first appearance on a 2010 mock draft on Draft Express a month into his sophomore season. By May 2010, mock drafts such as Draft Express, ESPN.com, and The Hoops Report predicted that George would be selected 12th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. Two days before the draft, Marc J. Spears from Yahoo! Sports wrote an article about an anonymous Eastern Conference scout stating that "in five years, Paul George will be the best player to come out of this draft". Hoping to draft Derrick Favors, the Pacers had discussed a draft trade with the Nets that would have sent Danny Granger and the 10th pick to the Nets for Devin Harris, Yi Jianlian and the 3rd overall pick, but the deal fell through. George was invited to sit in the green room during the draft and was selected tenth overall by the Indiana Pacers. He became the highest NBA draft pick in Fresno State history. On July 1, 2010, he signed his rookie contract with the Pacers; a two-year guaranteed deal worth $3.9 million, with team options for a third and fourth year.
On October 27, George made his NBA debut against the San Antonio Spurs, playing 23 minutes and scoring 4 points on 1–5 shooting. In a game against the Washington Wizards, he knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a then-career-high 23 points. George averaged 7.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists on 45% shooting in his first season, starting 19 of his 61 games. For the 2011 Playoffs, George was one of only two rookies from the 2010 NBA Draft to be in the starting lineup for his team, the other being Landry Fields for the New York Knicks. In the playoffs, the Pacers lost in five games to the Chicago Bulls, led by Derrick Rose. Upon completion of his inaugural season, George was named to the 2011 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
On February 3, 2012, George recorded 30 points, 7 three-pointers made, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 1 blocked shot in a win against the Dallas Mavericks. George was selected to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest and Rising Stars Challenge during the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend. In the Slam Dunk Contest, George completed a 360° windmill dunk in the dark and dunked over teammates Dahntay Jones and Roy Hibbert. The windmill dunk is when a player brings the ball below their waist and with an outstretched arm swings the ball into the rim. However, he lost the contest to Jeremy Evans. He finished the 2011–12 lockout-shortened season with averages of 12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 44% shooting, George started all 66 games for the Pacers in the season. After beating the Orlando Magic, who were without Dwight Howard, in five games in the first round, the Pacers lost to the eventual NBA champions, the Miami Heat, 4–2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with George making just 19 of 52 field goals.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2017–2019)
On July 6, 2017, George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The Thunder acquired him in spite of his pending free agent status the following year and George's stated preference to join the Los Angeles Lakers in his native Southern California. In his debut for the Thunder in their season opener on October 19, 2017, George scored a team-high 28 points in a 105–84 win over the New York Knicks. On November 10, 2017, he scored a season-high 42 points in a 120–111 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He made 13 of 22 shots and had nine rebounds and seven assists. After starting the season with an 8–12 record, the Thunder improved to 20–15 with a 124–107 win over the Toronto Raptors on December 27. George scored 33 points against the Raptors and went 7 of 10 from 3-point range, tying the Thunder record for 3-pointers in a game.
On January 20, 2018, he had a 36-point effort in a 148–124 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. On January 27, 2018, George was named as a replacement for the injured DeMarcus Cousins on Team LeBron for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. On February 1, 2018, he scored a season-high 43 points in a 127–124 loss to the Denver Nuggets. In the Thunder's regular season finale on April 11, 2018, George scored 40 points in a 137–123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He went 13 of 20 from the field, including eight of 14 3-pointers.
In Game 1 of the Thunder's first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, George scored 36 points in a 116–108 win. He set an Oklahoma City playoff record with eight 3-pointers, making eight of 11 shots from long range, and 13 of 20 shots overall. In Game 4, George scored a team-high 32 points in a 113–96 loss. In Game 5, George recorded 34 points and eight rebounds, as the Thunder rallied from 25 points down in the second half to fight off elimination and beat the Jazz 107–99. The Thunder went on to lose Game 6 to bow out of the playoffs with a 4–2 defeat; George recorded a game-high eight assists in Game 6, with a scoring total of five points on 2-of-16 shooting.
While he still wanted to return to Southern California, George also "loved the situation" with Oklahoma City. He decided weeks before free agency began on July 1, 2018, that he would stay with the Thunder, and never arranged a meeting with the Lakers. On July 6, George re-signed with the Thunder to a reported four-year, $137 million contract. On November 8, he had 20 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and six steals in a 98–80 win over the Houston Rockets, helping the Thunder win seven straight after starting the season 0–4. On November 14, he scored a then season-high 35 points in a 128–103 win over the New York Knicks. On December 5, he scored 25 of his 47 points in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds left that gave the Thunder a 114–112 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. On December 19, he recorded 43 points and 12 rebounds in a 132–113 win over the Sacramento Kings. On December 22, he had 43 points and 14 rebounds in a 107–106 win over the Jazz.
Los Angeles Clippers (2019–2024)
On July 10, 2019, George was sent from the Thunder to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round draft picks, and the rights to swap two other first-round picks, in a trade which helped the Clippers sign top free agent Kawhi Leonard that offseason. After missing the first eleven games of the regular season recovering from two shoulder surgeries. George made his Clippers debut on November 14, 2019, against the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 33 points in a 132–127 loss. Two days later, in his home debut against the Atlanta Hawks, George put up 37 points in just 20 minutes in a 150–101 victory. On December 9, George made his return to Indiana and recorded 36 points and nine rebounds in a 110–99 win over his former team in the Indiana Pacers. Four days later, George scored a season-high 46 points in a 124–117 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he and Kawhi Leonard became the first duo in Clippers history to each score 40 points in a single game with Leonard scoring 42.
During the 2020 NBA Playoffs in Orlando, Florida, following the abrupt halt of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, George drew frequent criticism from NBA fans and media for his inconsistent performance. In 13 playoff games, George averaged 20.2 points per game, marking his lowest postseason scoring average since his third season in the NBA. He shot 39.8% from the field, which was the fourth occasion in his career that he finished a playoff series with a shooting percentage below 40%. George in particular was blamed for the Clippers' second round loss to the Denver Nuggets, in which the team squandered a 3–1 series lead, becoming the 12th team in NBA history to do so. In Game 7 against the Nuggets, George only scored 10 points on 25% shooting and failed to score in the 4th quarter. George's dismal performance in Game 7 included one memorable miss on a three-point shot attempt in which the ball hit the side of the backboard. In online forums, such as the social media website Twitter, George garnered the nickname "Pandemic P," which is an ironic reference to the "Playoff P" nickname that George infamously christened himself with a few years prior.
On December 10, 2020, George signed a four-year, $190 million contract extension with the Clippers. On December 22, George scored 33 points, of which 26 were in the second half, to lead the Clippers to a 116–109 season-opening victory over the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 6 of the Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz, George recorded 28 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in a 131–119 victory, leading the Clippers to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. Playing against the Phoenix Suns in his third career Conference Finals, George scored a playoff career-high 41 points, alongside 13 rebounds and six assists in a crucial 116–102 Game 5 victory. The Clippers lost to the Suns in six games.
Philadelphia 76ers (2024–2026)
On July 6, 2024, George, then 34 years old, signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. With each of his previous jersey numbers, 24 and 13, retired by the franchise, George wore jersey number 8 as a tribute to Philadelphia native Kobe Bryant. The George signing gave the 76ers a star trio of George, center Joel Embiid, and guard Tyrese Maxey. The 76ers were expected to be contenders for the 2025 NBA championship.
George struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in the 2024–2025 season. He missed the first five games of the season after being diagnosed with a bone bruise from a hyperextended knee during the preseason. On November 4, 2024, he made his 76ers debut, putting up 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists in a 118–116 loss to the Phoenix Suns. On December 16, 2024, George put up 33 points, five rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block in a 121–108 win over the Charlotte Hornets. On December 28, 2024, against the Utah Jazz, George surpassed Vince Carter for ninth in all-time three-pointers made with 2,291.
On March 17, 2025, it was announced that George would miss the remainder of the season due to adductor and knee injuries. In 41 games, George averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. At the time the announcement was made, the 76ers had a 23–45 record. George's season was described as "disappointing" and "disastrous".
Prior to the season, George underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee to treat an injury suffered during a workout. On January 31, 2026, George was suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy by taking "improper medication". On April 1, George scored 39 points in a 153–131 victory over the Washington Wizards, his highest scoring total since joining the 76ers.
Boston Celtics (2026–present)
On July 6, 2026, George was traded to the Boston Celtics alongside a 2028 NBA draft first-round selection, a 2031 NBA draft first-round selection, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2030 NBA draft second-round pick in exchange for Jaylen Brown.
Player profile
NBA.com lists George's height as 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m), while The Indianapolis Star reported in December 2011 that he grew 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m). He entered the league as a shooting guard but was later moved to the small forward position, with the emergence of Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson. Stephenson's improvement as a facilitator and distributor in the backcourt allowed George to play off the ball more often during games. Early in his career, he was unable to create shots for himself and lacked a great deal of ball handle, something he worked on with trainer Jerry Powell during the 2012 off-season. With All-Star swingman Danny Granger injured during the 2012–13 season, George took on a larger offensive responsibility, which resulted in the NBA Most Improved Player Award.
George has established himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. In addition to his athleticism, he has developed a reputation as a high-flyer by participating in the 2012 and 2014 Slam Dunk Contest. Following the Pacers' win over the Denver Nuggets on February 10, 2014, Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw, called George "the best two-way player in the game". George's rapid improvement led Pablo Torre of ESPN to dub him the NBA's most anomalous superstar, while stating: "Has anyone in the NBA ever become better, faster than Paul George?"
In August 2014, it was announced George had changed his uniform number from 24 to 13, giving him the more marketable moniker of PG-13. He then donated all of his old jerseys to his high school in Palmdale, California.
Awards and honors
NBA
9× NBA All-Star: 2013, 2014, 2016–2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
6× All-NBA Team selections:
All-NBA First Team: 2019
5× All-NBA Third Team: 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021
4× NBA All-Defensive Team selections:
2× NBA All-Defensive First Team: 2014, 2019
2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 2013, 2016
NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 2011
NBA Most Improved Player: 2013
NBA steals leader: 2019
USA Basketball
Olympics gold medalist: 2016
Career statistics
Personal life
George is married to former stripper Daniela Rajic. He once dated the daughter of coach Doc Rivers, who he later cheated on with Rajic. They were engaged in November 2020, and got married in June 2022. Together they have two daughters and a son named after him.
George is the co-host of a podcast called "Podcast P with Paul George" with actor Jackie Long and AAU teammate Dallas Rutherford, with NBA players such as Jalen Green, DeMar DeRozan, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Alperen Şengün making guest appearances on the show.
George signed with Nike as a rookie and had a signature footwear and apparel line from 2017 to 2022. In 2024, George announced that Nike would re-release his earlier sneaker models.