Spartan Profile: Conner George
12/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Hanna Sprague, MSU Athletic Communications
The first time Conner George stepped inside Breslin Center he was a seven-year-old, wide-eyed kid looking down at a 94-foot court and looking up at nearly 15,000 people.
It was December 2004 and the George family was turning in their Western Michigan ways to don the Green and White as Cathy George has just been named head coach of the MSU volleyball team.
Little did seven-year-old George know, he'd eventually get his shot at suiting up for the Spartans.
"When my mom got the job at MSU after coaching at Western, we came up for the first basketball game, and it was when Paul Davis was here," said George. "The free throw area was a basketball, so that was something that stuck out to me as a kid."
When your mom is the head coach of a power-five sport at MSU, you're thrown into a childhood of traveling the country, attending every game and being a part of something much bigger than yourself: a Spartan family.
"I would say that it was always a family atmosphere around here," said George. "Everyone treated me really well, and I really enjoyed growing up here."
Raised just a stone's throw away from East Lansing in Okemos, George thought he knew exactly what it meant to be a Spartan. Now, enrolled in classes and living on the campus of Michigan State, he has a growing sense of appreciation for the university.
"Coming in as a student, it was a lot different," said George. "It's kind of a different side of the story. You're inside of it now. You're a part of the family. It's a lot different, but it's a lot of fun. This is everything I could ask for."
It was third grade the first time George played organized basketball, and, with his dad as a coach, his love for the game blossomed and pushed him to become arguably one of the best basketball players to ever play at Okemos High School.
"I think it's a good way to find out different tactics on how to win something," said George. "It's competitive, and it's a lot of fun. If you're mad, sad or happy, it's a place you can always go to and count on. It's a great outlet."
A high-school standout averaging 23 points and 10.9 rebounds as a senior, George had an ever-growing list of scholarship offers to respectable Division II and Division III programs, but there was something else he always had his eye on.
George developed a relationship with associate head coach Dwayne Stephens throughout his high-school playing days, and when Stephens turned head coach Tom Izzo's attention to George's long-rang shooting ability, Izzo agreed to bring him on as a preferred walk-on in 2015-16.
"I was really happy that I was able to join the team, but, at the same time, I knew that it was going to be a process, and I was going to have to work really hard," said George. "I was excited, but I knew I had a lot of work to do."
Thrown onto a roster of some of the hungriest and most dedicated players in college basketball, George quickly understood the expectations and has formed his role to best suit this goal-orientated squad.
"It's awesome when you're a part of a team that wants to win a National Championship," said George. "For that to be even in the conversation is amazing. Everyone has one goal, and we keep that in mind throughout each and every day. All of us are working to achieve it."
Many Spartan walk-ons have made their impact known at MSU, and with mentors like Austin Thornton, Kenny Goins and Matt Van Dyk, George is very aware at the opportunities in front of him.
"They've been there to guide me through this process," said George. "Everyone has been really supportive. Izzo is the head man. He's the best at his job, so being here and witnessing the behind-the-scenes that goes into everything is a really great experience."
George, who will most likely redshirt this season, got the opportunity to sport his No. 13 jersey in the exhibition contest to start the year. His name was called, and he was ready.
"At the scorers table I was thinking, `Who am I going to sub in for?'' said George. "And then I subbed in for Matt Costello, and I thought to myself, `So, I guess I'm the five now.'"
The journey has just begun for the hometown hero who chose to walk-on at Michigan State and pursue his dream in the Green and White. With a biological family and Spartan family as supportive as this, there's no limit to what he can accomplish.
"Ever since I was seven, this has been a dream," said George. "And now, watching the program get to this many Final Fours and just being a big fan of MSU, it's crazy wearing Green and White. It's definitely a dream come true.
