– Kyshawn George, deciphering an irresistible rise
At 20 years old, the Chablaisien will discover the prestigious North American basketball league in the coming weeks. Here’s how the gifted man went from Monthey to the NBA.
Published today at 1:20 p.m.
Kyshawn George will become the third Swiss in history to play in the NBA.
Getty Images via AFP
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The course
A child of Monthey, where he was born in December 2003, Kyshawn George started playing basketball in the city’s flagship club seven years later. Gifted for his age, the kid also had a knack for school. “He had quite fascinating predispositions,” admits Nicolas Oberholzer, the club’s historic team manager. “I remember a determined kid, with a strong character, and who hated losing.” Swiss U14 champion with his friends, Kyshawn left for Chalon at 15. “They had come to a camp to see another youngster, but they came across Kyshawn,” remembers Oberholzer. Like Thabo Sefolosha and Clint Capela before him, the Chablais native is benefiting from the advantages of this renowned training center. “My experience there gave me the opportunity early to train with pros,” Kyshawn told us a few days before the draft. I learned quickly by watching their work ethic, how they approached games they didn’t play much in. It also helped me make the transition to Miami and the NCAA last summer when I went to the United States.”
