Senior Conner George Relishes Memories of his MSU Career

By David Greenberg
For MSUSpartans.com

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State senior guard Conner George was used to playing in the big moments, thanks to being a standout in baseball and basketball at nearby Okemos High School.

Okemos had the ball with 2.4 seconds left, the score was 56-54 in favor of DeWitt, one of the Chieftains' rivals. The baseline out of bounds play was called "butter." George started at the low block, ran up, set a screen at the elbow, then cut through the defense like a hot knife, darting toward the wing just beyond the 3-point line. As time expired, the horn blew, and the scoreboard lit up 57-56: George, an all-state player, had hit the game-winning bucket.

"He's a guy you love to have on your team and hate to play against..." Eric Behan, George's high school teammate, said. "He would be more excited about his teammates' success than his own. He would go out and score 30 and be much more excited about me going in at mop-up time and scoring a bucket or two."

The time came to decide where George, an acclaimed player in the Lansing area, would play in college. He had to weigh his options – get more playing time at a smaller school, or see fewer minutes as a walk-on at MSU.

His father, Jerry, and his mother, Cathy, MSU's head volleyball coach, were there for him throughout the process. She put her MSU ties aside to help guide her son.

"I wanted to make sure it was his choice, and I wanted to make sure he thought it all through," Cathy said. "I asked the question to him to make sure and said, 'If you are going to make that decision to go to Michigan State, you may never play, and if you don't, you still have to be a great teammate'. There are going to be times when it's going to be really tough on you because I know what a competitor you are, and you want to be in the mix, but there are no guarantees.'"

Knowing all the possible outcomes, George selected his dream school. Looking back five years later he has no regrets choosing the Spartans.

"We've done so many cool things and been to so many places, gone overseas, been to a Final Four, won championships, it's just everything I could have asked for and more," George said.

It hasn't always been perfect, as George has missed being on the floor.

"It's been hard for him, because he loves being in the big moments, but he loves being in the moments here," Cathy said. "His whole thing is the intensity of the team, the teammates, the love he has for everybody and the excitement for being a part of such high-level basketball."

Conner said his parents helped to further his passion for sports because they were so involved with athletics.

"My dad ran track in college, my mom played volleyball and now coaches…They've always pushed me, and they've always wanted what's best for me at the same time," he said. "They were always looking out for me and pushing me to become a better person, better athlete."

George was a skinny 6-4 freshman when he came to MSU, so his coaches told him to gain weight in order to see playing time. From that point on, he gained nearly 30 pounds over a year and a half.

"From sophomore through senior year, I've gotten a lot better and more comfortable knowing that I might have a chance to play if someone gets hurt," George said. "I never would have thought I would be in that position my first year here. It's cool knowing that you can play in this environment."

George has earned his title as the leader of the scout team throughout his time at MSU.

"[Scout team] knows if we're not bringing our game, if we're not playing hard in practice, they're not going to play as hard in practice and they're not going to get as good of a look," George explained. "We have to bring it every day and even though people don't see it, obviously fans don't see it, but everyone [on the team] notices it. We're just trying to get the team as prepared as possible for the next game."

As high school teammates, Behan said he and George have experienced, "lots of ups and downs together. Emotional times, and exciting times," and said there aren't, "many people I like more than Conner."

"It's a completely different role that he's playing in now. Conner's always been such a great leader, but now he's got to lead in a different role," Behan said. "I don't think I've seen anyone lead so passionately. He's always the first guy off the bench, always clapping for his teammates… that's a tough change for someone who played every meaningful second in high school."

When his jersey number is called during games, both Spartan fans and his teammates help to return the favor.

"I never really expected for the fans to be cheering for me," George said. "They were chanting 'Cooonnneeerrrr Geeeooorrrgggeee,' they were chanting my name, and I was like 'This is sweet.' Then you get on the court and you just look around and it's packed, there are so many people. I could've never imagined playing in front of that many people."

Head Coach Tom Izzo said the scout team's hard work does not go unnoticed by the rest of the guys.

"We try and do everything we can for the scout team because they've been so good with our team," Izzo said. "Conner George is the leader of that team… I've just been so impressed with him and so pleased with everything. He's been a hell of a guy for my program."

Senior guard Cassius Winston gives a lot of credit to George, recognizing his daily efforts.

"[Conner]'s a legend. He gave everything he had to this program for five years. He's a guy who gives everything to the program, everything to Michigan State," Winston said with a smile. "He doesn't complain, comes into work every day. He's a scout team legend, his jersey should go right up there with everybody else."

Praise like that from a player like Winston is not something George takes lightly.

"That's an honor to hear, especially from Cassius, because you know his name's going to be in the rafters one of these days," George said. "To know that what we do as a scout team and by other walk-ons is getting noticed, especially by people like [Cassius] and all of them, it's really nice to hear."

Growing up watching his mother coach, George witnessed MSU's close-knit community. After experiencing it first-hand over the last five years, there's only one way to describe the relationships he's made.

Family.

"MSU is a family atmosphere. Everyone says it, but it's really true," said George. "Once you're a part of it too you realize it takes it to another whole level. This is the best decision that I've ever made. I couldn't be more happy and grateful to have had this experience."

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