BYU’s Gideon George Outrebounds Entire Portland Team By Himself In Win
Feb 4, 2021, 6:20 PM | Updated: 7:24 pm
BYU Basketball forward Gideon George was impressive in his first career start against Portland. (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
(BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
PROVO, Utah – In the first start of his BYU basketball career, forward Gideon George put on a show in the first half against Portland.
BYU as a team put up their highest scoring total in a half against a Division I opponent with 54 points, and George was a key piece to that.
The junior college transfer from New Mexico JC scored 10 points, dished out three assists, and record two steals. George’s most impressive stat from the first half might be his rebounds.
Stat line in the first half from Gideon George in his first career start at #BYU.
10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
He has more rebounds than the entire Portland team (5).#BYUHoops @kslsports pic.twitter.com/VkNKDP2xdG
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 5, 2021
In 20 minutes of action, George pulled down six rebounds and outrebounded the entire Portland team in the first half. The Pilots only had five boards in the first half. George ended up with 13 rebounds for the game, outrebounding the Pilots by one (12).
George stepped into the starting lineup in replace of Trevin Knell at the three position for BYU. Throughout the season, George has shown an ability to deliver big performances for the Cougars. Wins against USC, Saint Mary’s, and San Francisco are prime examples.
At halftime, BYU trainer Rob Ramos put tape on George’s wrist. It wasn’t a problem for George who early in the second half set a career-high for scoring in his BYU career with 15 points before the first media stoppage.
Mark Pope on Gideon George:
"He's just a beautiful human being. He's humble and full of gratitude. There's nothing duplicitous about him … he just has been so wonderful."#BYU #BYUHoops @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 5, 2021
George finished the night with 19 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals as BYU rolled to a 105-60 victory over last-place Portland in the Chiles Center.
“He’s just a beautiful human being,” said BYU head coach Mark Pope. “He’s humble and full of gratitude. There’s nothing duplicitous about him … he just has been so wonderful.
Coming into Thursday night’s game against Portland, George was averaging 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in a role off the bench.
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., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.
