In a Draft 2023 especially rich in leaders and wingers at the top of the table, Keyonte George appears to be the best possible fullback. While the other two big names in the position, Gradey Dick and Jordan Hawkins, are above all “off-ball” shooters, the back of Baylor is he more of a scorer who carries the ball.
Big offensive qualities widely seen during his years in high school, within the famous IMG Academy during his “senior” year in particular, and which he clearly succeeded in transposing this season on the university circuit, during his “freshman” exercise with the Bears, by shooting at just over 15 points per game, the second best average of his team behind veteran fullback Adam Flagler.
Elected best “freshman” of the Big 12 conference, fairly unanimously considered for years as the most successful in the country, Keyonte George has therefore overall signed a very qualitative 2022/23 campaign. He confirmed the qualities that we already knew about him, and especially the status that we assumed for him: that of a “one-and-done” who will, almost with certainty, be selected in the “lottery” on June 22. .
Profile
Job : Back
Size : 1m93
Weight : 84kg
Crew : Baylor Bears
Stats 2022/23: 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists
Strong points
– A gifted scorer. This is indeed Keyonte George’s first quality: scoring comes naturally to him. If his efficiency must clearly go upmarket (to read later), he already shows, at only 19 years old, great qualities of “shotmaking”, fueled by a great confidence in his faculties. Ball carrier, Keyonte George has especially shone this season with his ability to create his own shot: 34% on 2-point shots out of the dribble, 35.4% on 3-point shots out of the dribble (the most complicated), and 35% on floaters. Frankly encouraging percentages for such a young player, who can only gain in efficiency as he gains experience. Endowed with good support and an ability to change pace, the back of Baylor also knows how to create space before drawing his shot, well sharpened with fluid mechanics. In short, his arsenal is complete, even if his mid-distance “package” could be a little more extensive.
– A potential to be explored in “playmaking”. Natural back, Keyonte George was yet one of the most frequent creators of the Bears’ offensive phases this season (2.8 assists). On the phases of “pick-and-roll” in particular, he showed an ability to execute simple readings very quickly, particularly when the defense is in cover. In the NBA, he will probably never be a primary or even secondary creator, but his fundamentals in reading the game are solid enough to make him a facilitator in the middle or end of the chain. Especially since he is still very young, and his game vision can of course improve over time.
Weak points
– Efficiency / decision making. Very often among young backs, who says scorer with a large volume of shots also says a large volume of waste, necessarily. And Keyonte George, obviously, does not cut it: only 37.6% of shooting success this season with Baylor, including 33.6% for outside shots. More often than not, the young fullback has simply been too greedy, opting for example for a shot off the screen rather than an extra pass, or for a “drive” in a blocked racquet rather than a “kick-out” in a corner for a teammate. Big mistakes of youth, in short, but nothing prohibitive. Age and experience will do their job…
– Consistency in defense. Physically capable of defending very well on the man, with a sturdy upper body and good lateral “footwork”, the former Bears player, on the other hand, lacks consistency and concentration with regard to his place in a collective defensive. On the “pick-and-roll” or the “backdoors” in particular, patterns in which there is still a lack of responsiveness to achieve the right rotations. Progress will no doubt come with time and experience, but there is reason to be optimistic about his immediate transition to the NBA given the tools he has to date, particularly physically and athletically.
Comparison
An attacking profile Eric Gordonwith much greater defensive potential.
Prognosis
Enter here 10th place and the end of the lottery.
Draft 2023 player profiles
Scooter Henderson
Brandon Miller
Cam Whitmore
Nick Smith Jr
Jordan Hawkins
Gradey Dick
Anthony Black
Cason Wallace
