Predicting Which Draft Pick Becomes Jazz's Rookie of the Year
The NBA's Vegas Summer League is coming to an end, and the Utah Jazz are undefeated going into the weekend. As the Jazz parse through their young talent, we're going to take a way-too-early look at the favorite to be Utah's rookie of the year.
Keyonte George
With the injuries to Utah's two other first-round picks, fans have yet to see the two in action in a Jazz jersey. Keyonte George, on the other hand, has put on quite the show in his Summer League showings. In Salt Lake Summer League, the No. 16 pick caught fans off guard as the 19-year-old was navigating the Jazz offense with ease.
Unfortunately, George has been ruled out of the remainder of the Vegas Summer League due to a sprained ankle. Through six games, he averaged 21.5 points and 5.33 assists.
George is being criticized for his defensive skill set, and although there are areas of concern, his offensive talent is beyond his age and will allow him to develop a stronger instinct and production on the other side of the court over time. The opportunity for development might come sooner than later, as the Jazz are in need of playmakers and shotmakers going into next season.
If George continues his efficient production, he will have the chance to crack the rotation and carry the class as the Jazz's most likely Rookie of the Year.
Brice Sensabaugh
Sensabaugh is the other Jazz guard that might have that same opportunity, although an injury has so far kept him off the court. At Ohio State, he was known for his efficiency as a scorer, with shooting percentages of 52/40/83.
The league always needs more shooters and scorers, and so do the Jazz. Sensabaugh was less of a creator and more of a scorer in college, which may decrease his odds of being a top contributor among Jazz rookies with so few shots to go around, but if his efficiency holds true, there is no reason he couldn't be the best of the three.
Taylor Hendricks
Finally, the 6-foot-9 forward. Hendricks could be the most talented overall of Utah's rookie trio, but he's been injured since Summer League started and is also facing the toughest road to rotational play. Behind 2023's Most Improved Player Lauri Markkanen and All-Rookie first-teamer Walker Kessler, not to mention the newly-acquired John Collins, it's hard seeing Hendricks get meaningful minutes early on in the season.
Although a steep hill to climb, Hendricks is a stretch big that shot nearly 40% from the three-point mark in college and has all the qualities of an NBA team's dream player. He has length and height, the defensive qualities to switch, and the all-around offensive package.
If Hendricks' game adjusts well to the NBA, it will be hard not to play him more.
Bottom Line
The Jazz may have the perfect storm if all three rookies are competing for playing time early on, but based on opportunity and talent, George might be in the lead for being the Jazz’s rookie of the year.
Granted, it might be a way-too-early prediction, as all three players have the qualities and talent to produce at the NBA level. Now it comes down to how that talent transitions to this level and how strongly the trio competes in the coming months.
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