Keyonte George Has New Appreciation For Jazz In Year Three
Sep 29, 2025, 5:52 PM | Updated: 5:55 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Keyonte George has had a mercurial start to his NBA career.
On one hand, the Utah Jazz guard is the second-leading scorer from his draft class, having already amassed nearly 2,100 career points, joining superstar Victor Wembanyama as one of two players to break the 2,000-point total.
On the other hand, his inefficient shooting numbers (39 percent from the floor, 34 percent from three) teamed with the Jazz’s struggles on the court call into question the validity of his scoring prowess.
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Is George a legitimate offensive weapon in the NBA, or an empty-calorie scorer whose contributions don’t equate to winning?
Now entering his third season, George is committed to improving his game and possesses the necessary perspective to succeed.
Keyonte George Appreciative Of Role With Jazz
George’s NBA story has not been free from adversity.
The guard was a top-10 high school recruit before committing to Baylor, and at times during his freshman season, was considered a potential top-five pick.
On draft night, the guard slipped to the Jazz with the 16th pick, with teams questioning his shot-making and commitment on defense.
George exploded on the NBA scene during his first summer league, averaging over 21 points and six assists while shooting 52 percent from the floor and 44 percent from three.
media day bts with the fellas 💜✨👀🏔️🎶 pic.twitter.com/MUHa1QdOry
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) September 29, 2025
The Texas native opened his rookie season firmly in coach Will Hardy’s rotation and became a full-time starter over the second half of the year.
Though George was named to the All-Rookie Team, he’s never fully solidified himself as a surefire NBA player.
Just as he did in college, the guard has relied heavily on his ability to score the ball to earn minutes, showing little improvement in his defense or shooting efficiency.
But on the eve of his third training camp in Utah, George may have finally seen the light.
From the Keyonte George draft (2023), Cam Whitmore was nearly given away in a trade, Kobe Bufkin was salary dumped, and Nick Smith Jr. has been waived.
Tough league.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) September 25, 2025
Looking back on the 2023 draft class, several of the guard’s peers have either been traded or waived, including some who are no longer in the NBA.
Kobe Bufkin, who was selected by the Atlanta Hawks one spot ahead of George, was essentially given to the Brooklyn Nets in a cost-cutting move.
Jalen Hood-Schifino, taken by the Los Angeles Lakers one spot after George, has been traded, waived, signed, waived again, and currently doesn’t have an NBA team.
Cam Whitmore, drafted 20th, was traded for a pair of second-round picks, while 27th overall pick Nick Smith Jr. was waived by the Charlotte Hornets last week.
“It definitely gives me the perspective when I see those things happen, like just how fast your life can change,” George said.
Despite being just 21 years old, the guard is likely fighting for his NBA life.
During training camp, the Jazz will have the ability to pick up George’s fourth-year option, guaranteeing he’s paid through the 2026-27 season. If they decide against it, the guard will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, potentially having to find a new home — in the NBA or elsewhere.
“I was able to be in the gym with Cam Reddish a little bit, and seeing that he’s now overseas, you start to realize you can’t take this for granted,” George said. “Being in the NBA, every day you’ve got to do something that’s making you better.”
Reddish was the 10th overall pick in 2019, but played for four teams in six seasons before signing to play in Lithuania this summer.
Austin Ainge on Keyonte George’s big summer:
“Keyonte particularly had a big leadership role this summer. He took guys to Dallas and showed them around and got them in the gym, and he was orchestrating a lot of the social activities.” #takenote |@kslsports | @KSLSportsZone
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 29, 2025
Without tangible improvement, it’s a future that George could soon see become a reality.
“You can try to be the highest pick, try to get the most money you want, but I’m starting to realize you’ve got to fit in and you’ve also got to be around people that want you, too — you can’t just want to be somewhere if they don’t want you back,” George said.
Though there are worse outcomes than playing professional basketball overseas, the third-year veteran has a newfound appreciation for his opportunity in Utah, having seen the fate of his fellow draft picks firsthand.
“With [Danny Ainge], Austin [Ainge], and everybody, Ryan [Smith], everybody, Will [Hardy], I just can’t thank them enough for obviously the opportunity, but just wanting me here. It’s obviously put in perspective that, like you said, this game could be taken away from you at any minute.”
George and the Jazz will open training camp on Tuesday. Their first preseason game will be in Houston against the Rockets on October 8.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
