The high school landscape can be very strange at times, especially in terms of recruiting. It’s genuinely perplexing to see some of the players that college coaches choose to pursue. Compare it to the NBA Draft. How often does the “obvious” selection pan out' In contrast, how often do we see unforeseen stars emerge in the later portions of the draft' We, as a society, seem to have accepted the notion that pursuing the most glamorous or highest-rated player doesn’t necessarily guarantee anything. So, what is actually important' Whatever contributes to winning basketball games…which is something that clearly resonates with Kobe George.
One would think between playing with Team CP3 and Winston-Salem Christian (currently 31-3 and first in our non-association ranking) that it wouldn’t be this difficult for George to collect scholarships from Division I programs. However, the two-way wing hasn’t received an offer in quite a while. This is where the process gets particularly frustrating for all parties involved. College coaches regularly preach about discipline, leadership, and all these various intangibles, but don’t seem to fully appreciate those traits when faced with someone who possesses them—like George. Not only is he legitimately deserving, but he would be a real asset for a slew of different programs.
George has been a natural leader and glue-guy with IQ, toughness, athleticism, and adaptability for as long as memory serves. He does the little things to impact winning, from communicating to diving on the floor to making the extra pass, and consistently stands out as a great teammate. George is a quality initiator who understands how to run a team with poise, get others involved, and set the tone defensively. He’s excellent at getting downhill and applying pressure as a finisher, but can also knock down perimeter jumpers at a respectable clip. George is a phenomenal rebounder for his size/position and effortlessly pushes the break in transition. Although each of the attributes above holds value, his mentality is a massive part of what makes him so appealing. Having someone with his level of tenacity and desire to win is only going to pay dividends in the long run. It’s unclear where he’ll end up, but George is a high-level player and someone who should become increasingly coveted over the coming months.