SMU lands another transfer guard

[PonyPride]

AJ George, a sophomore guard last season at Long Beach State, announced on social media that the is transferring to SMU.

Listed at 6-6 and 190 pounds, George played in 32 games last season, starting 24. He averaged 10.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He hit 145 of 272 shots from the floor (.533), connected on 11 of 32 (.344) three-pointers and converted 80 of 111 (.721) free throws.

His bio from the Long Beach State website — written before last season:

AJ George
Position: Guard
Height: 6-6
Weight: 190
Class: Junior (he is listed as a sophomore and as a junior in different spots on the website, but since he missed a season with the shoulder injury, it looks like he should be a junior in 2024-25)
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Prev School: Hoover HS

LONG BEACH STATE (2022-23): Made a major impact in his first active year with the team, playing in all 33 games and starting 25 on the wing … Averaged 8.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in his debut season … Debuted with nine points on the road at California Baptist … Made first start against Oakland at Baha Mar Hoops, scoring 12 points in a 78-70 win … Scored in double-figures in the next game as well against North Texas … Hit double-figures at USC … Scored 12 points on the road at CSUN, hist first double-figure performance in league play … Scored 15 points with three steals after rejoining the starting lineup against Cal Poly … Would start every game for the rest of the season as a redshirt freshman … Scored the game-winner in a triple OT thriller at UC San Diego, part of a then career-high 17 points in 49 minutes played … Matched a season high with seven rebounds to go with seven points and three blocks at Cal State Fullerton … Scored a career-high 20 points against Hawai’i, the first of six straight double-figure games to end the season … Scored 18 points in the regular-season finale at UC Davis … Scored 14 points against Cal Poly in the Big West Tournament … An Academic All-Big West selection.

(2021-22): Suffered a shoulder injury during the preseason and missed the season as a medical redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: A two-sport athlete at Hoover High School, competing in football as well as in basketball … Averaged 24 points and 8 rebounds per game as a senior … Earned all-league honors while leading the Patriots to a league championship … As a junior, helped lead Hoover to the Central Section championship game as well as the Division IV state tournament.

MAJOR: Journalism

CAREER HIGHS
Points: 28, at CSU-Bakersfield, 2/1/24
Rebounds: 9, vs. UC-Riverside, 1/6/24
Assists: 5, vs. Hawaii, 1/18/24
Steals: 4, at Sacramento State, 12/10/22
Blocks: 4, at USC, 12/10/23
3-FG Made: 2, 4x last vs. UC-Riverside, 3/14/24
FG Made: 9, 2x last at CSU-Bakersfield, 2/1/24
FT Made: 10, at CSU-Bakersfield, 2/1/24
Minutes: 49, at UC San Diego, 1/21/23

[Charleston Pony]

Another shooter? Hopefully he comes here fully recovered and healthy. All I can think about is Dave Piehler who played at SMU years ago and would dislocate his shoulder during games only to have his teammates pop it back into place so he could continue playing. Piehler was a shooter who would have benefitted from having a 3 point line which didn't exist at the time.

[indianmustang]

Another shooter? Hopefully he comes here fully recovered and healthy. All I can think about is Dave Piehler who played at SMU years ago and would dislocate his shoulder during games only to have his teammates pop it back into place so he could continue playing. Piehler was a shooter who would have benefitted from having a 3 point line which didn't exist at the time.

feels so underwhelming

[Charleston Pony]

AJ had 12 points on 5-9 FGs and 2-3 FTs, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks when LBSU played USC last year and 10 points on 4-6 shooting in '22-'23 so he obviously made an impression on Coach Enfield. George shot better than 50% in both '22-'23 and '23-'24 so looks like he's a shooter and has some length at 6'6". Let's just hope with all the changes the backcourt is upgraded and can compete against ACC level of competition.

[Hop Sing]

Another shooter? Hopefully he comes here fully recovered and healthy. All I can think about is Dave Piehler who played at SMU years ago and would dislocate his shoulder during games only to have his teammates pop it back into place so he could continue playing. Piehler was a shooter who would have benefitted from having a 3 point line which didn't exist at the time.

feels so underwhelming

Patience, grasshopper, he’s just now finalizing his staff.

[Charleston Pony]

I don't see George in the LBSU portal so not sure what the latest on this "commit" might be

https://247sports.com/season/2024-baske ... nkey=24376