BAIROS: Agent George Signs J. Murray, Thon Maker Next?

Canadian Agent Mike George Is Killing Two Birds With One Stone Inking Jamal Murray And Potentially Thon Maker

Following a fantastic freshman season which saw his NBA stock sky rocket to the top of multiple mock drafts, Jamal Murray announced April 7th that he’s officially entering the 2016 NBA draft.

A formal announcement on who the 19 year old has hired to be his agent is on the horizon but according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, Murray projected at number 5 as of this morning, will be represented by Excel Sports Canadian agent Mike George. Adding fuel to speculation, seated together last week at both the BioSteel All Canadian game in Toronto and at a Nike EYBL game in Brooklyn, was George, Murray and Murrays father Roger.

Representation bids from several high profile agencies came with the new territory surrounding the Canadian guard with Jamaican and Syrian bloodlines.

A huge coup for George who lands Murray over Steve Nash’s former and Andrew Wiggins current agent Bill Duffy (BDA Management). Wiggins the first overall pick in 2014 & Sixers third overall pick in 2015 Jahlil Okafor headline a list of BDA clients. Duffy sits ninth among NBA agents with total guaranteed salary via DraftExpress.com.

More notably George and Excel beat out Klutch Sports based out of Cleveland, Ohio. Lebron James’ firm run by long time friend and lead Klutch agent Rich Paul. Paul’s list of clients also includes a trio of Murrays alma matter Kentucky Wildcats Eric Bledsoe, John Wall and Trey Lyles. Paul also attempted to utilize the Canadian heritage card, other high earning clients under Paul are a pair of seasoned Canadians in the NBA, Brampton, ON’s Tristan Thompson and Pickering, ON’s Corey Joseph. Rich Paul currently sits fifth among NBA agents in total guaranteed salaries and even recently locked up potential number one overall pick Ben Simmons.

Mike George not only successfully navigated through steep competition, he overcame game changing dynamics to sign, seal and deliver Jamal Murray.

Another front for George that has to be satisfying is the fact since landing his first client Anthony Bennett in 2012, now out of the league, George failed to deliver Excel Andrew Wiggins and Nik Stauskas. Two former top ten draft picks from the Greater Toronto Area. With George’s client list currently headlined by Bucks Tyler Ennis (20th pick in 2013) and Mavs Dwight Powell (2nd round pick in 2013), both developing fringe rotation players in the league, Jamal Murray is just the reinforcement Excel coveted north of the border. Murray averaged 20 points per game in a historical one and done season under John Calapari. Not only is precedent set fending off steep competition but also George restores a reputation and  momentum for securing Canadian talent in the NBA —kudos to Agent George.

According to Forbes.com New York’s Excel Sports Management is a behemoth in representation for athletes from the PGA tour, NBA and MLB. Excel’s roster in the NBA department is pretty extensive including Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Hassan Whiteside all represented by top agent Jeff Shwartz— the top NBA agent among total guaranteed salary.

With his an uncanny ability to bring the top NBA talent from Canada through Excel’s door. George now becomes the fitting favorite to lock up 7-footer Thon Maker too.

Maker played high school basketball in 2015-16 at Athlete Institute in Orangeville, ON, only forty minutes north of Toronto, and he too will enter the upcoming NBA draft.

Can both camps between former high school teammates Maker and Murray co-exist under the same representation? Don’t bet against it under the helm of Agent George. Who, if when it does happen will epitomize the company hash tag #EXCELing.

NBA Canadian talent and their hired agents.