Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Paul George has spent more than a decade proving he can influence a game in virtually every way, combining smooth shot-making, elite perimeter defense, and effortless versatility into one of the NBA’s most complete skill sets. Equally capable of leading an offense or shutting down the opposition’s best scorer, his balanced two-way game has earned widespread respect throughout the league.

Here’s a detailed profile of basketballer Paul George:

  • Full Name: Paul Clifton Anthony George
  • Nickname: PG-13
  • Nationality: United States
  • Age: Born May 2, 1990
  • Hometown: Palmdale, California, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7.75 inches (202.5 cm)
  • Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 11.25 inches (211.4 cm)
  • Standing Reach: 8 feet 11 inches
  • Shoe Size: 13 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: Nike PG 6, Nike PG 5, Nike PG 4, Nike PG 3, Nike PG 2.5, Nike PG 2, Nike PG 1, Nike Hyperdunk 2015
  • Number: 24 (Pacers), 13 (Pacers), 13 (OKC), 13 (Clippers), 8 (76ers),
  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Knight High School, Palmdale, California
  • College: Fresno State University (2008–2010) (Fresno State Bulldogs)
  • Draft: 2010 NBA Draft, 10th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers.
  • Player Archetype: Two-way shot-creating wing
  • Primary Offensive Role: Perimeter scorer, isolation and pick-and-roll shot creator, secondary playmaker
  • Defensive Role: Primary wing stopper; multi-positional perimeter defender (1–4)
  • Play Style: Smooth three-level scorer with high-volume pull-up shooting, transition finishing, and disruptive passing-lane defense
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Fluid long-strider, explosive in open court, strong lateral mobility, elite length for deflections and contests
  • Recruiting Status: Lightly recruited; mid-major prospect (no major high-major scholarship offers)
  • Draft Status Detail: Sophomore entrant; projected mid-lottery upside wing with defensive versatility and scoring development
  • Injury Status Category: Major historical injury (2014 leg fracture); later shoulder and elbow issues; otherwise active
  • Career Stage: Late-prime veteran star / secondary franchise option
  • Comparison Style: Tracy McGrady–type scoring wing with Kawhi Leonard–style two-way impact (lighter frame)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Indiana Pacers (2010–2017)
    • Oklahoma City Thunder (2017–2019)
    • Los Angeles Clippers (2019–2023)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (2024–present)
  • Trade History: Paul George Trade History
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Parents: Paul George Sr., Paulette George
  • Children: Olivia George, Natasha George, Paul George Jr.
  • Siblings: Teiosha George, Portala George
  • Athlete Relatives: Teiosha George (college basketball – Pepperdine); Portala George (college volleyball – CSU San Bernardino)
  • Net Worth: Paul George Contract History

The player archetype for Paul George is a two-way scoring wing built around perimeter shot creation, defensive versatility, and secondary playmaking, allowing him to impact games without dominating the ball every possession. Defensively, George typically assumes assignments against primary or secondary scoring threats on the wing, using length, anticipation, and lateral mobility to disrupt passing lanes while fitting into switch-heavy schemes. Offensively, he operates as a three-level scorer who can space the floor, attack closeouts, run pick-and-rolls, and function as a secondary initiator, giving teams flexibility alongside another high-usage creator. Physically, George combines near-elite wing size with long arms, smooth athleticism, and fluid change of direction, enabling him to create separation while still contesting shots effectively on the other end. His play style blends controlled isolation scoring, pull-up shooting, and opportunistic playmaking with disciplined team defense, making him a prototypical modern two-way wing capable of scaling his role depending on roster construction.

Scouting Report

Watching Paul George, the thing that keeps coming back to me is how rarely he looks hurried. Defenders can crowd him, shade him toward help or switch bigger bodies onto him, yet he almost always finds a way to get to the shot he was hunting in the first place. His handle isn’t flashy for the sake of it; it’s a tool for shifting defenders just enough to create space for a smooth pull-up, a controlled drive or a passing angle when the low man steps over. He can initiate pick-and-rolls, but he’s just as comfortable working off a pin-down, relocating after giving the ball up or attacking an already tilted defense. That’s part of what makes him easy to build around. He doesn’t need every possession to begin with him. Defensively, his length and anticipation often do the heavy lifting. He stays balanced navigating screens, gets into passing lanes without constantly gambling, and has a knack for timing digs on post players before recovering to shooters. The trade-off is that his offensive rhythm can become overly perimeter-oriented at times, leading to stretches where contested jumpers replace pressure on the rim, and bigger forwards with a power game can occasionally force him into more physical possessions than he’d prefer. Even so, his value comes from how seamlessly he moves between responsibilities. One trip he’s the primary creator, the next he’s spacing the floor, then he’s taking the toughest wing assignment at the other end without disrupting the offense. To me, his ideal fit is alongside another high-level initiator and a mobile interior presence, allowing him to exploit mismatches instead of carrying every creative burden. What stands out isn’t one elite skill as much as the absence of obvious weaknesses in the way he approaches the game. His style blends elements of Tracy McGrady’s effortless shot creation with Danny Granger’s polished scoring profile, while offering a more consistent defensive presence than either comparison suggests.

Profile Notes & Context

  • Paul George’s height with shoes is listed as 6 feet 9 inches (6’9″).
  • Paul George’s playing weight is listed at 220 pounds (100 kg).
  • Similar players to Paul George include Scottie Pippen and Rudy Gay.
  • I’m skeptical of Paul George ever being close to 100% after having a rod inserted in his leg. Tari Eason recently had a rod inserted in his leg also, and he’s experiencing pain. I assume George is no different but chooses to keep quiet.

Player Insights

Player Overview — August 10, 2024:
Paul George began his NBA career with the Indiana Pacers after being drafted into a roster that appeared to have a developing competitive core. Veteran forward Danny Granger was already established as the team’s primary scorer, while Tyler Hansbrough and sharpshooter Mike Dunleavy Jr. provided supporting depth. However, injuries to Granger, roster turnover, and limited internal development prevented the group from sustaining contender-level momentum. George emerged as the franchise centerpiece before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the 2017–18 season, where he elevated his two-way impact and finished as an MVP finalist. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the 2019–20 season, forming a star duo and remaining with the organization through multiple playoff runs. After departing in free agency, George joined the Philadelphia 76ers before the 2024–25 season, marking the next phase of his career with another contender-level roster.

Sources:
NBA.com — Paul George Player Profile
The Athletic — Paul George is still one of the NBA’s best two-way wings
Basketball-Reference — Paul George Overview