Q&A: Jazz rookie Keyonte George on rapid improvements: ‘It’s just the beginning, so I’m taking everything in’

For The Win caught up with NBA Summer League standout Keyonte George.

NEW YORK — Keyonte George was arguably the biggest standout from the 2023 NBA Draft at NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas.

George, a 6-foot-4 guard from Texas who played one collegiate season at Baylor, was named Big-12 Freshman of the Year. Then the Utah Jazz selected him at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.

On the court for the Jazz this summer, he averaged remarkable splits. He produced 28.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 2.0 steals per 40 minutes.

Unfortunately, however, George injured his ankle and will not play again while in Las Vegas.

He was also one of the leaders in free-throws attempted and 3-pointers attempted during these games as well. George was frequently able to create his own jump shot off the bounce, sometimes even managing to drop his defender with nifty dribble moves.

This was nothing new for George, via CBB Analytics, who ranked in the 97th percentile for unassisted 3-pointers per 40 minutes among all players in college basketball last season.

But his ability to score as the ball handler in transition and in the pick-and-roll made him project well as the point guard of the future for the Jazz.

What was especially encouraging, per Synergy, is that George recorded as many dunks (3) in NBA 2K24 Summer League as he did during his entire career at Baylor.

Before the 2023 NBA Draft, For The Win met up with George, who shared more details about how his game will translate to the NBA and what he likes to do when he is not on the court.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Read more of our pre-draft interviews with NBA prospects.

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