Gideon George Stepping Out Of Transfer Portal, Returning To BYU
Apr 21, 2022, 3:17 PM | Updated: 3:24 pm
BYU forward Gideon George (5) celebrates after scoring during an NCAA game against Central Methodist at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News)
(Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – It’s been an interesting turn of events for Gideon George. After a few days in the Transfer Portal, the BYU basketball forward is returning to the Cougars.
George wrote a simple message on social media to announce his return back to BYU, “Finishing what we started.”
💙💙🤙🏿🤙🏿 pic.twitter.com/RDY3T2mkWr
— Gideon George (@GideonOmohkudu) April 21, 2022
Players that enter the NCAA’s Transfer Portal can return to their original school if given the opportunity by the university. BYU’s coaching staff, led by Mark Pope, provided that option to George, who averaged 8.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists during the 2021-22 season.
The 6-foot-6 forward from Minna, Nigeria, started in 18 games, including the final 12 games last season.
Before entering the portal, George also submitted his name to the NBA draft process. He can still go through the process up until June 13, which is the early entrant deadline to withdraw. The multi-year starter for Pope’s program has lined up a few workouts with NBA teams.
George, who added 20 pounds to his build in the last off-season, shot 43.6% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range.
George poured in a career-high 27 points against Northern Iowa during the second round of the NIT last month. After the game, BYU head coach Mark Pope referred to George as a “big chunk” of “BYU basketball future.”
George has one year of eligibility in his college career. He rejoins a BYU basketball program entering its final season as a member of the West Coast Conference.
The Cougars have never won a conference championship since joining the WCC in 2011.
Gideon George joined BYU’s program after two seasons at New Mexico Junior College. He committed to BYU shortly after taking an official visit to see the Cougars defeat No. 2 Gonzaga in 2020.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
