Paul George emphasizes crucial role of WNBA coverage on his podcast citing his past ties with women's basketball
Complex Sports named Paul George’s “Podcast P with Paul George” the best talk show among NBA players in July last year. Considering it debuted in March of the same year, the recognition was a big surprise. George, with co-hosts Jackie Long and Dallas Rutherford, got the nod over other older and more established personalities such as JJ Redick and Draymond Green.
Some of the guests that helped push the show to the top were the late Jerry West, rapper Schoolboy Q and Brandon Miller. “PG-13,” however, reserves a special place for women’s basketball players in the WNBA.
In an interview with the “Boardroom,” Paul George had this to say about the exposure he is putting on that league and its players:
(11:40 mark)
“I’ve been loving the coverage that we’ve been having. Appreciative of the platform I have to shed light on the WNBA. This [women’s] basketball is very personal, very close to me with my older sister playing and being one of the reasons why I got into basketball.
"I’ve been around this basketball ever since I can remember so that will always tell a sensitive spot for me."
The sister the nine-time NBA All-Star referred to was his oldest sister Teiosha, who starred for four years in Pepperdine. She also never got to play in the WNBA but had stints in Europe.
Despite the former Waves player not making it to the WNBA, Paul George’s affinity for women’s basketball never waned. His platform has helped give them a voice and give fans insight into the people behind the basketball uniforms.
A’ja Wilson was one of the first guests on Paul George’s podcast
Cameron Brink, Satou Sabally and Juju Watkins were three of the most recent guests Paul George has had in his podcast. Each of his interviews with them was highly rated, prompting basketball fans to ask for more.
George’s talk, however, with A’ja Wilson seems to be the highlight of his conversations with WNBA players. Wilson might be the GOAT in women’s basketball so her appearance was a check in the podcast’s resume.
Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces were still about to begin the defense of the championship they won in 2022 when she joined the show. When asked by Paul George about what she wants her legacy to be, the WNBA superstar responded:
“When you’re talking GOATS of the W, I need my name to be up there, at least Top 3. … When you’re thinking of women’s basketball, when you’re thinking of the W [WNBA], I want my name to be on it.
"So whatever it takes, whatever it needs to get there, whether it’s the rings, whether it’s the accolades individually like I want to be up there in that kind of conversation.”
A’ja Wilson was one of George’s first guests on his podcast. She probably helped “PG-13,” an admitted introvert, to become more comfortable interviewing women’s basketball players.
Paul George has been improving as a host and has been having a blast talking to the WNBA players. Basketball fans and supporters of his podcast can expect him to continue putting the limelight on women’s basketball.