George de Paula


George "Georginho" Lucas Alves de Paula, commonly known as Georginho, is a Brazilian professional basketball player for Sao Paulo of the Novo Basquete Brasil.

Professional career

Pinheiros (2013–2016)

De Paula made his professional debut with E.C. Pinheiros in Brazil's top-tier level league, the NBB, during the 2013–14 season. On April 21, 2015, de Paula entered the 2015 NBA draft. He then withdrew from the draft, before the draft removal deadline.

Athletico Paulistano (2016–2017)

In 2016, he joined the Brazilian League club Club Athletico Paulistano.

Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2017–2018)

On the April 2017 deadline, de Paula decided to enter his name for the 2017 NBA draft. Two months later, he became one of only 10 international underclassmen to confirm his permanent entry for the NBA Draft that year. Ultimately, he would not be drafted that year, but competed for the Houston Rockets in 2017 NBA Summer League. He would later sign a training camp deal with the Rockets on September 27 that same year. He would later be one of four players released from the team on October 13. Later on that month, de Paula would sign with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for the rest of the season.

Return to Paulistano (2018–2019)

On June 11, 2018, de Paula returned to Paulistano.

National team career

Brazilian junior national team

De Paula played with Brazil’s under-17 national team at the 2013 FIBA South American Under-17 Championship, where he won a bronze medal. He represented his country's under-18 national team, at the 2014 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.

Brazilian senior national team

De Paula has been a member of the senior Brazilian national basketball team. With Brazil, he played at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup.