Devean George has gone from NBA champ to hotshot developer ... spearheading a MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR project that could change an entire city ...and he's pumped about it.

George -- who played in the league for 11 years -- was at LAX yesterday when he told TMZ Sports all about why he believes his 45-unit affordable housing project in Northern Minneapolis will completely change the game.

The 3-time NBA champ -- who grew up a couple blocks away from complex -- says the project will not only help cash-strapped families live in "fly" pads ... but it will also create a bunch of local jobs.