Utah Jazz: Grading Jarrell Brantley’s promising G-League season

Positives

From game one to game thirty-three in the G-League, Jarrell Brantley showed rapid growth. He seemed to be getting better and better each game, and eventually, he’d be considered one of the best players in the entire league.

Brantley averaged 18.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.5 minutes for the Stars. He shot a healthy 52 percent from the field and 33 percent from deep. His strong play was recognized, as he was named to the 2019-20 Midseason All-NBA G-League Team.

What stands out right off the bat with Brantley’s averages? Probably his all-around game. Brantley does a lot of different things on the court, and they all translate to winning basketball.

Offensively, Brantley is so talented. He looked comfortable scoring off the dribble, whether it was getting all the way to the basket or pulling up for a jumper. He runs the floor very well and is dangerous in transition.

He’ll throw passes that you won’t see guards make, which says a lot about his playmaking ability. That might be one of the more exciting aspects of his game. Brantley is a very good passer that keeps his head up and see’s plays before they happen.

He’s also not afraid to get his hands dirty and make the hustle plays. His motor is endless. Brantley will have no problem throwing himself on the floor in order to save a loose ball.

Defensively, Brantley looks NBA ready. He’s a versatile defender that can switch and guard multiple positions on the court, which is so important in today’s NBA. He’s got great strength and length that help him on that end, but it’s his effort and energy that make him special.

I’m not saying that Brantley is going to turn into a Defensive Player of the Year when he sees consistent time in the NBA, but I do think he’ll give the Utah Jazz a bit of a secret weapon on that end. He’s already a good defender and will only get better in Utah’s system.