On Wednesday morning, the staff of Pacers Sports & Entertainment gathered on the main court at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to congratulate Pacers forward Paul George on winning a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
George, the first Pacers player to win an Olympic medal since Reggie Miller in 1996, arrived to thunderous applause from the large crowd of employees. With his gold medal draped around his neck, PG shook hands with Pacers President/COO Rick Fuson.
PHOTO GALLERY: PS&E Employees Congratulate Paul George »
"We couldn't be more proud of you," Fuson said. "You represented our city, our state, your country, your family, all of us — the team behind you — so well. We congratulate you on this great gold medal and we can't wait til you get back to work and ready for the Pacers season."
Fuson then declared Wednesday as "Paul George Day" on behalf of the Pacers.
George, who has endured an emotional roller coaster over the past couple years, then addressed the crowd. After breaking his leg at the USA Basketball Showcase on Aug. 1, 2014, George returned to All-Star level last season in Indiana before helping Team USA win the gold in Rio.
"I'm sure you all know the whole injury and just going over to Rio and winning this thing, it was more than playing for the country for me," George told the staff. "It was kind of closing the chapter and moving on with my life and bringing this (medal) back to this team and this culture."
After addressing the crowd, George removed the medal from around his neck and allowed the employees to pass it around and take pictures with it.
Of course, the 26-year-old George still has a lot that he hopes to accomplish. He told those assembled that his next focus is on bringing a championship home to Indiana.
Pacers Media Day is less than two weeks away on Monday, Sept. 26. Indiana will then open training camp for the 2016-17 NBA season on Tuesday, Sept. 27.