No surprises in Waco, Texas, on the campus of Baylor : “as expected” since he was a high school student, Keyonte George is a “one-and-done” and heads to the NBA after just one season on the college circuit.
A big star in “high school” where his attacking talents made him a big name in the 2022 promotion, of which he occupied 8th place in the ranking of the best players, the young fullback actually confirmed during his “freshman” season with the 2021 champions all the good that observers of the scouting sphere have thought of him for the past two or three years.
” coach [Scott] Drew prepared me for the next step in so many ways. In particular by drawing my attention to the small details » he assured for ESPN. ” He knew that I was a good attacker, so he mainly insisted on the defense, on the rotations, the placements on the ground. During this year, I think I have progressed on both sides of the field. »
As part of the country’s second-best attack, Keyonte George displayed an already highly developed “shotmaking” for his age, notably exceeding the 20-point mark 12 times, a record for a “freshman” in the program history.
A starter in all games, he posted 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals, winning the “Freshman Of The Year” trophy at the end of the season in the Big 12 conference, the most successful in the country.
” Being the leader in attack in my first year was a bit of a baptism of fire. But it accelerated my learning he adds. ” It is the fruit of my work in the shadows. I took on responsibilities, I had to raise my level of play at times. But I didn’t feel any particular pressure, because I took shots that I scored in training. »
In an NBA that is increasingly focused on attack and ball carriers, it is therefore very easy to see him, with his dynamic “combo-guard” profile, as a useful attacker in a rotation from his first outings on the boards. of the Big League. Expected in the Top 10 of the 2023 Draft, he will certainly be one of the most prominent rookies next season.
