Stepping Up: Rookie Keyonte George Steps up for Utah Jazz

Over the last two games, Keyonte George has showcased his lead guard upside.

While many rookies don't get this opportunity, Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George has gotten minutes from day one in the NBA. With that in mind, it took him a few weeks to really hit his stride.

This is especially the case as it relates to facilitation, which has popped over the past two games. Through George's first eight NBA games, he notched 26 assists. For a rookie, that's actually not bad. 

With that in mind, the former Baylor guard has produced 20 assists in his last two games alone. He now leads all rookies in total assists this season with 36. Furthermore, he's turned the ball over just once in this pair of contests, which is just as impressive as the assists alone.

This is the pass.

WOW.

His teammates are just going to have to recognize that they can get open on every possession because right now Keyonte George will find them. pic.twitter.com/5J9yTDBnSn https://t.co/7zXb1Fn1hw

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 11, 2023

For anyone that watched George in high school or college, it was was clear he could score the ball. That's still the case at the NBA level, but the passing upside is really starting to shine bright. If he can be a pass-first guard that can lead a team in assists while also having the threat of scoring anytime he has the ball in his hands, that's incredibly valuable. 

While Utah has really struggled as it relates to winning games, George has earned more minutes of late and has even landed in the starting lineup over the past week. The roster is filled with young talent, but it's hard to not see George emerging as the starting point guard for the Jazz longer term. 

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