Author of a promising although irregular rookie campaign, Keyonte George wants to show during his sophomore season that he has grown, all with the aim of solidifying his place in the Jazz reconstruction project. What can we expect from him in Year II?
“I’m so excited to work on my game, and show after the summer that I’m a brand new player.”
A few months ago, Keyonte George was thinking big for the rest of his career. He was just coming out of a rookie year during which he gave a fairly serious glimpse of his potential: 13 points and more than 4 assists on average in 27 minutes per evening, at low percentages certainly but far from dramatic for a 20 year old kid who is discovering the high level, what’s more in a team in reconstruction where he already has a lot of responsibilities.
Last February, coach Will Hardy said he was ready to give the keys to his young leader, who obtained his place in the major five and who started in the last 28 games of the regular season (alongside Collin Sexton) . Keyonte took the opportunity to increase his individual stats, dropping some big cards along the way.
Keyonte George’s last 5 games
25 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL
26 PTS, 6 AST, 5 3PT, 2 BLK
29 PTS, 6 AST, 5 3PT
0 PTS in 6 MINS (left with illness)
31 PTS, 6 3PT, 4 AST pic.twitter.com/hjqp4xp5Vv
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1768978320811504118?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Utah youngster’s promising campaign allowed him to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge and even land a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. A generally successful debut for the 16th pick of the 2023 Draft, but George knows that the road is long to become an accomplished guard in the NBA.
Keyonte George’s areas of progress
Thanks to the responsibilities he was able to have during his rookie campaign, Keyonte George has already learned a lot and his game has matured over the months. Now we have to build on that.
Keyonte’s talent for putting the ball in the basket is undeniable but it’s the playmaking aspect that could define the height of his ceiling. As a reminder, George went from guard to point guard when he made the transition from college to the NBA. A transition that is clearly not easy to make and the sophomore has quite a few levels to overcome in this role. However, Will Hardy quickly saw his potential to bring others into play and intends to insist on it.
Zach Lowe described Keyonte George as a “creative passer” and that just feels like the perfect descriptor for his passing
Some of the unconventional manipulation of angles from Key are just really fun to experience pic.twitter.com/FV9vZZ3uRS
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) https://twitter.com/JazzLead/status/1837189987785396237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
As a combo guard, developing your playmaking skills can make you more formidable at scoring and vice versa. The objective is to put maximum pressure on the defenses and remain unpredictable in the good sense of the word. For Keyonte George, the key to his progress lies in the quality of his offensive choices, in the speed with which he understands the game, and finds the best offensive balance. This should help him gain consistency as well as efficiency, to avoid performances in roller coaster mode as we saw – logically – as a rookie.
For this, Keyonte George can count on his Jazz mentor Jordan Clarkson (32 years old, 10 NBA seasons). Both from Texas, both with a love of tattoos and fashion, and with similarities in their respective styles of play, Keyonte and JC have developed a relationship that helps the rookie a lot. And Clarkson is there to guide him.
“I advised him to build muscle. And quite simply to work on his game. He has a lot of talent. But he must have a move on which he can rely, which he masters, especially for the end of the match, like Luka (Doncic) with his step-back for example. – Jordan Clarkson on Keyonte George (via Jazz)
Becoming stronger (88 kilos as a rookie for 1m93), working on his physical condition, progressing in decision-making and being less “random” in his offensive game, this is what can allow Keyonte George to take a big step forward in as a sophomore.
Keyonte George talking about preparing to play PG this season
“Worked on my pace, worked on a lot of pick and roll stuff, biggest emphasis with Will was being on balance” pic.twitter.com/ax5TSy1Js3
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) https://twitter.com/JazzLead/status/1840812714161291487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What goals for Keyonte as a sophomore?
While the Jazz project remains vague and struggles to define its main lines, Keyonte George could have even more responsibilities compared to last year. We can therefore expect to see his averages climb as a sophomore, he who wasted no time in making a splash during the Summer League this summer (two 30-point games, 15 free throws on average!). But above all we would like to see him gain in offensive efficiency, while growing in playmaking (for defense, another area of progress, we will be patient).
Is a season averaging 16-17 points and more than 5 assists, with increasing shooting percentages (like 43% shooting and at least 35% from parking), within Keyonte’s ropes? In any case, it would be a big step forward.
Keyonte George’s lob throwdown puts the ‼️ on the Jazz Salt Lake City Summer League win ????
31 PTS, 5 AST for the 2023 No. 16 pick ???? pic.twitter.com/7aMEazrgqM
— NBA (@NBA) https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1811234371640176925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
For Jazz commentator Craig Bolerjack, Keyonte’s progress will not necessarily be measured in terms of stats. For him, it’s the attitude that counts above all.
“I want to see leadership. I think last year he showed a lot of confidence, but sometimes that confidence can become your worst enemy. As a rookie, you have to focus on yourself, be demanding of yourself, and understand that it’s a long learning process. We must avoid overconfidence.
You just have to play, overcome your mistakes, and show progression by not making the same mistakes.”
Young NBA players progress when the game “slows down” for them. They make better choices, they become more efficient, they adapt better to defenses and see more easily what is happening on the floor.
Keyonte George will want to prove – to himself and to the Jazz franchise – that he is already at this stage in his development.
