What To Expect: Keyonte George.

By Deeper lens

With the 2024 season around the corner, I think its the perfect time to look back at Keyonte’s Baylor profile, and see what we can expect this year, and what to build on moving forward.

Keyonte’s on ball game is defined by his handle. He’s constantly able to change the tempo of his fakes, manipulating his timing on exploding to trick defenders. On this play, he uses a stationary between the leg cross, then a between the leg explosion into a hesi jab cross to go middle. That previous sequence paired with the jab lead to his man biting, setting up space for a middle drive.

His ball speed is great for his age, allowing him to change the feel of his moves each time. It also allows him to explode faster, as the ball reaches his other side before his body even moves. On this play, it allows for him to explode out of a lax position, catching his man off guard:

His lack of angle control is concerning, and he hasn’t shown quality deceleration once going max speed. However, once he’s able to get downhill, has some of the most dynamic body control in the draft.

Look at his balance on this play. He absorbs the contact, adjusts his shoulder angle to extend middle, and releases on the way down to avoid a contest.

This ability to take contact and be flexible mid air allows for some insane play in space.

He often over uses this flexibility, not using his off arm to seal space, and instead tries to extend around his arm, leading to a tough miss.

On this play, he should embrace the contact, and use a push shot. this would not only allow for a more controlled finish, but uses your defender as a shield, making it impossible for other players to swoop in and block.

But overall, he always finds the right pockets to push through, and can make some really dynamic finishes:

On this play he properly attacks a big facing baseline: into their chest, elevates early, and uses a push shot on the way down.

As a playmaker, his decisions have been good, but lack consistent delivery. Here he sees the pocket opening, but instead of progressing it further, forces it early. This leads to the big having to put the ball on the floor and lose momentum, creating a tougher look. Getting comfortable progressing play in these spots are going to be key.

This a good read over the top, but the pass is slow, and vs NBA defenses will either be picked off, or jam the roll man when weak side help arrives.

gap defenders bother him often, limiting his ability to continue the play under pressure:

Still, his ability to make decent decisions vs drop defenses is valuable.

His shooting is solid. Though his erratic shot tendencies should be cut out, he’s still been efficient(35% from 3 on dribble jumpers), and his potential on C&S jumpers. His flow needs development, as its often disturbed when sped up(26% on guarded C&S 3pt shots). His PNR shooting oozes with potential, as he shot 44% on 2.3 attempts per game at Baylor.

In the Jazz’s system full of spacing forwards who can put the ball on the floor, I think Keyonte’s passing limitations can get hidden , and with more DHO actions to get downhill, I think he can start exploring his rim threat potential year 1. I’m hoping to see a development in his decision making in the PNR, cut down erratic shot tendencies, and refine his dribbling through pressure. Overall, I think George’s potential is pretty bright.