Tag: Keyonte George

Will Hardy on Jazz rookies: ‘They have not backed down for one second’

Hardy said there is a possibility that their three first-round picks see minutes to start the regular season.

Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy on Friday said there is a possibility their three first-round picks see minutes in the rotation to start the regular season.

The Jazz added Taylor Hendricks (ninth pick), Keyonte George (16th pick) and Brice Sensabaugh (28th pick) through the NBA draft on June 22. The team also signed undrafted forward Joey Hauser to a two-way contract on July 3.

Of the trio of first-round picks, only George played in summer league. Hendricks (hamstring) and Sensabaugh (knee) were dealing with injuries and were held out of action. However, the three players are healthy and are ready for the start of training camp.

“The three of them are incredibly high character,” Hardy said. “They go at it. They have not backed down for one second out here playing with our veteran guys. Training camp is going to show us a lot. I think there is a world where each of them play could play themselves into minutes.”

George shined with the Jazz in three appearances before suffering an ankle injury in Las Vegas. He was named to the all-summer league first team after averaging 21.2 points, 6.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds on 44.4% shooting from 3-point range.

Hendricks is highly touted out of UCF for his ability as a shot blocker and floor spacer. Meanwhile, Sensabaugh impressed last season at Ohio State as a scorer given his size and ability to work at all three levels. Each projects to be able to help the Jazz.

Training camp will serve as a tremendous opportunity for the three players to make a name for themselves and lock in a spot in the rotation. The team will know a lot more about them throughout the preseason.

“If they come and they have a good camp and look like they’re ready to help the team, then that’s where we’ll go,” Hardy said. “If not, we’ll use the resources we have available to try to help them get ready as quickly as possible. All three of them are 19 years old.

“I think the biggest thing for those three players in training camp is not about me or (general manager) Justin (Zanik) and what we think of them, it’s about earning the trust of their teammates because if their teammates think they can help them win, they’ll be all about it.”

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NBA 2K24: Ratings revealed for the first round of the 2023 NBA draft

The official player ratings and other features for NBA 2K24 have been unveiled as the popular video game hit stores on Friday.

The official player ratings and other features for NBA 2K24 have been unveiled as the popular video game hit stores on Friday across all platforms around the world.

The latest installment of NBA 2K features three distinct editions, each honoring Kobe Bryant. The game, for the first time, also allows for crossplay, meaning users on different gaming consoles can still play with their friends online.

In addition to many of the new features and updates unveiled in the game, fans are equally as excited to see the initial player ratings. Of course, with a new group of players set to enter the league, many are curious to see how the rookie class would be graded.

The franchise, led by marketing director Ronnie 2K, previously revealed the ratings for several first-rounders this year. With the game officially available for purchase around the world, the grades for each rookie have been unveiled.

Here are the ratings for the first round of the 2023 NBA draft.

Jazz rookies Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George pulled up to watch No. 14 Utah beat Florida

Hendricks and George were among those on hand to watch No. 14 Utah defeat Florida in its season opener on Thursday.

Utah Jazz rookies Taylor Hendricks and Keyonte George were among those on hand to watch No. 14 Utah defeat Florida in its season opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday.

Utes backup quarterback Bryson Barnes threw for 159 yards and one touchdown and Nate Johnson rushed for 45 yards and one touchdown in the 24-11 victory. Barnes filled in for Cam Rising, who is still recovering from a torn ACL. Johnson also saw time behind center.

Hendricks and George were seen on the sideline throughout the matchup and even took a picture with the Utes’ mascot, Swoop. They also engaged with some fans nearby.

Hendricks (ninth pick) and George (16th pick) make up a promising rookie class for the Jazz, which also includes Brice Sensabaugh (28th pick). Of the trio, only George suited up in summer league due to injuries to Hendricks and Sensabaugh.

With one month to go until the start of training camp, the Jazz are certainly excited to see their rookies hit the court for the first time. It appears as though they are embracing their new environment after watching the Utes for the first time.

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Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George cleared to return from injuries

Jazz rookies Taylor Hendricks and Keyonte George have been cleared to resume on-court activities following their respective injuries.

Utah Jazz rookies Taylor Hendricks and Keyonte George have been cleared to resume on-court activities following recent injuries, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic.

Hendricks, the ninth pick in the NBA draft, did not play with the Jazz in summer league while dealing with a right hamstring strain. He previously said he wasn’t quite 100% and didn’t want to risk further injury by playing with the team.

Meanwhile, George suffered a sprained right ankle on July 12 and was ruled out of playing again after three games in Las Vegas. The 16th pick was named to the all-summer league first team after averaging 21.2 points, 6.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds.

Hendricks and George should be completely healthy when the Jazz begin training camp in early October. Each projects to play large roles with the Jazz and will be full participants entering the start of their rookie seasons.

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Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore named MVP of NBA Summer League

The 20th pick was named Most Valuable Player of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore on Monday was named Most Valuable Player of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, the league announced.

Whitmore led the Rockets to the championship game on Monday after averaging 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, three steals and 2.4 assists on 46.5% shooting from the field in five appearances. He produced three 20-point games, including a summer league-high 26 points on July 13.

He was also named to the all-summer league first team.

The 20th pick ranks third in total scoring in Las Vegas among all players with one game to play. He leads all players in field goals (40) and steals (15).

Joining Whitmore on the all-summer league first team are Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill, Miami Heat center Orlando Robinson and Denver Nuggets forward Hunter Tyson.

His teammate, Jabari Smith Jr., headlines the second team:

Houston will face Cleveland in the title game on Monday at 9 p.m. EDT.

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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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Keyonte George would be ‘ecstatic’ if he were drafted by the Brooklyn Nets

Keyonte George said on Wednesday that he would be “ecstatic” to be drafted by the Brooklyn Nets.

NEW YORK — The 2023 NBA Draft is just one day away so the players who expect to hear their name called on Thursday night were given the opportunity on Wednesday to answer any questions. Baylor guard Keyonte George was kind enough to answer a couple of questions regarding the draft process and how he would feel if he were drafted by the Brooklyn Nets.

“I mean, it would be a big-time blessing, whoever calls my name,” George said when asked by Nets Wire about his feelings regarding the draft experience. “You know, if they (the Nets) were to call my name, I’d be ecstatic. It would be a dream come true,” George continued.

In the latest mock draft done by Rookie Wire, Cody Taylor projected that Brooklyn would take George with the 21st overall pick. George could go in the lottery, but if that ends up not being the case, the Nets could use a guard like George who’s able to impact the game with his scoring and passing.

George seemed receptive to the idea of playing in Brooklyn. “You know, we’re here in the city. So, it’ll be real cool to experience that type of love. Out here, they (the fans) go hard, you know? It’ll be cool, man. It’s just crazy that we’re here to be honest,” George explained. It’s possible that George could be a Brooklyn Net come Thursday night.

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Brooklyn Nets projected to take Keyonte George with 21st overall pick

The Brooklyn Nets are projected to take Baylor guard Keyonte George with the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft per Cody Taylor (@CodyTaylorNBA) of Rookie Wire.

With the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets are running out of time to figure out what they are doing with their first-round picks. For the purpose of this piece, it will be assumed that the Nets will use their picks to draft a player to make an impact next season.

According to Cody Taylor of Rookie Wire, Brooklyn is projected to take Baylor guard Keyonte George with the 21st overall pick. George, 19, is another one-and-done draftee who will be joining the NBA after accomplishing a lot at the collegiate level.

George, listed at 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, finished the season earning the Big 12 Rookie of the Year award as well as being named to the All-Big 12 team after averaging 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 37.6% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range. George started in every game he played in (33) and he helped lead the Bears to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing in the second round to Creighton.

What George can bring to a team like the Nets, if they indeed select him, is his ability to contribute on the offensive end of the floor. George had a 30.8% usage rate and while his 16.4% turnover rate is high, both figures show that Baylor was comfortable with the ball in his hands because of his ability to make plays for himself and others. Where George will need to improve is his decision-making with the ball and being more consistent as an overall defender.

Here’s a video breakdown of George’s tape by Adam Spinella:

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Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson headline players invited to NBA draft green room

The top prospects are beginning to receive invitations to attend the 2023 NBA draft from the green room at Barclays Center.

With less than two weeks to go until the 2023 NBA draft, the top prospects are receiving invitations to attend the festivities in the green room at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Teams each year vote on the players they believe will be drafted early, typically the top 20-25 prospects. Last year, 24 players were invited to the green room and only one player wasn’t drafted in the first round (Jaden Hardy).

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The first two batches of invitations have been dispatched to prospects with 19 players on the initial lists, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. There will likely be at least one more group invited based on teams’ final rankings and player availability.

Here is the list of players invited to the draft green room.

Last Update: June 13, 5:15 p.m. EDT

2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: 58 projections after the early entry withdrawal deadline

Rookie Wire took a look at where the next draft class stands following the early entry withdrawal deadline.

The NBA pre-draft process crossed another important checkpoint on the schedule with the early entry withdrawal deadline coming and going this week.

Prospects had the opportunity to test the waters and meet with teams to gain feedback on their potential draft stock. To maintain their remaining college eligibility, they had to withdraw from consideration by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.

The deadline saw several potential second-round picks withdraw from the draft and return to school. With name, image and likeness playing a prevalent role in college basketball, players were likely swayed to stay one more year to work on their games and capitalize financially.

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The 2024 draft is also projected to be weaker than in past years, which also may have played a role in some players opting against turning pro. They likely believe they will have a greater chance of being a first-round pick next year.

With several players off the board, teams can prioritize workouts and interviews with those individuals remaining in the draft. As a result, players’ stock will continue to fluctuate with less than three weeks to go until the draft.

Rookie Wire took a look at where the draft stands following the early entry withdrawal deadline. Team needs were taken into consideration for these picks.