2023 NBA Draft Live Tracker: Grading every pick made
2023 NBA Draft grade: No. 16 pick Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Baylor. Keyonte George. Scouting Report. G. 16. player. 118. Pick Analysis
Grade: B+
The Jazz prioritized size and defense with the No. 9 pick, which feels more reasonable in hindsight with this pick. Keyonte George gives Utah a much-needed boost in the backcourt. His creation out of pick-and-rolls and his prolific 3-point shooting will make him an immediate fit for Will Hardy’s offense.
George struggled with efficiency in college and he will have to answer questions about his defensive versatility, but he’s built exceptionally strong for a 6-foot-4 guard. He defends hard at the point of attack and should be able to handle NBA ball-handlers at the point of attack.
Efficiency concerns aside, George is a legitimately elite pull-up shooter from range and he’s confident attacking downhill and getting all the way to the rim. He’s one of the highest-upside offensive players on the board.
From our NBA Draft Big Board:
"A talented three-level scorer who can make shots from any angle, Keyonte George should have no trouble finding his way to points in the NBA. A strongly built 6-foot-4 guard, George will need to get better at elevating teammates in the long run, but there are flashes of legitimate passing upside to complement his impressive shot-making. On defense, thanks to his broad shoulders and impressive bulk, he can guard bigger wings or stick with guards at the point of attack. He shot below 40 percent from the field at Baylor, but his shot profile and level of craft are promising."