Entering the season, the Washington Wizards had yet to find their cornerstone piece they could build around.
Washington has proven invested in the rebuild, bringing several young prospects in over the course of the last few years.
Between the likes of Bilal Couliably, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and most recently Tre Johnson, the Wizards have taken a swing on several lottery picks.
However, up to this point, none of those prospects have yet to emerge as the team's future building block, yet.
Instead, the lone prospect that has emerged as the team's future cornerstone to start the year is a hidden gem the team found in the bottom of the first round in 2025 NBA Draft.
That player? Kyshawn George.
George has emerged as legit candidate for. the Most Improved Player of the Year award for the Wizards this season.
As a rookie, George averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5, while shoting 37.2% from field goal range and 32.2% from beyond the arc.
Now, throughout the start of his sophomore season, George has taken a major leap, averaging 174 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while shooting 50.3% from fiel goal range and 45.5% from three.
Averaging a career-high across the board, the Miami product has emerged not only as the building block the Wizards have desperately been searching for, but a cornerstone the team can build around for years to come.
It's not just the statistical leaps that have increased George's stock, but his ability to take on a leadership role courtesy of the coaching staff's request entering the season has been huge.
At 20 years old, the forward has proven to be worthy of the attention the team's coaching staff has invested in his development, and his eagerness to improve has allowed for this sophomore leap to come into fruititon.
However, arguably the most overlooked development throughout this entire process is the Wizards' coaching staff for acknowledging the player that George had the potential to become.
Giving the second-year man an early nod in the starting lineup, while also requesting him to take on a leadership role proves exactly how highly the team and head coach Brian Keefe in specific thought of George entering the season.
It's clear the team noticed something special early on and now as the season continues, regardless of struggles, Washington can gain some comfort knowing that they have a cornerstone to build around moving forward.
And that's not even considering the leap of Alex Sarr, who's emerging right alongside George.
All that to say, the future is bright in Washington.