Devean Jamar George (born August 29, 1977 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He typically plays small forward but because of his athleticism and defensive activity, can defend many shooting guards as well.
He attended high school at Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he played basketball. During his college career at Augsburg College, George was named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player two consecutive years (1997-98 and 1998-99), and set school records as a senior by scoring 770 points and averaging 27.5 ppg in leading Augsburg to 24-4 record and the NCAA Division III tournament for the second year in a row.
He was taken by the Lakers with the 23rd overall pick of the 1999 NBA Draft, and showed considerable promise, especially by his third season where his hustle, outside shooting, and defense made him a key substitute and he appeared in every single game. The Lakers gave him a contract extension in 2002 as a result and over the years, his effort, defensive activity, three-point shooting, and willingness to do what the Lakers required of him endeared him to many Laker fans.
George signed a two-year $4.2 million contract with the Mavericks as a free agent in August 2006 and as the season continued he gained coach Avery Johnson's trust and became more integral to the Mavericks' gameplan.
