While the upcoming draft and the rookies of next year are stealing all the hype, it is a good time to reflect on our draft decisions from last year. The Utah Jazz's 2023 draft class consisted of Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh, all of whom experienced their fair share of ups and downs, as is expected with any rookie. Let's take a closer look at the backgrounds of these three players.
Our 9th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was used on Taylor Hendricks from UCF. At the time, I wasn’t entirely thrilled about this selection. I was fully aboard the Cam Whitmore or Cason Wallace train. However, after delving into his film, I became quite excited about what he could bring to the Utah Jazz, before the team ultimately traded for John Collins. The Collins trade undoubtedly influenced Hendricks' development trajectory and the minutes he received in his rookie year, but he eventually carved out a place in the rotation.
With the 16th pick, the Jazz landed shooting guard Keyonte George from Baylor. Immediately, George had won me over. His college film displayed boundless potential, and I firmly believed, and still do, that the Jazz can harness that potential. George assumed the largest role among all rookies right from the start, owing to his performance and the injuries that sidelined Hendricks and Sensabaugh during the summer league and the beginning of the season. Fans adore him, but his development in year two will be crucial if we aim for him to become a cornerstone in this rebuild.
With the 28th pick, the Jazz selected Brice Sensabaugh out of Ohio State. Prior to his injury, it was widely believed that he would have been off the board well before the 28th pick. His scoring prowess in college immediately caught the attention of fans, and many became excited about the prospect of Sensabaugh earning significant minutes in his rookie year. Similar to Hendricks, his injury sidelined him for the summer league and the beginning of the season, but he persevered and managed to earn decent playing time as the season progressed. Now, it's time to assess the performance of these rookies in their first year in the league.
Taylor Hendricks: C+
Hendricks had an interesting start to the season. Without participating in the summer league, fans didn't have much to base their judgment of the 9th pick on. The hope was that he could maintain his decent three-point shooting and defensive skills from college, and for the most part, he delivered
While missing playing time due to injury and developing in the G League, Hendricks got a handful of starts in the latter half of the season, putting up 7.3 points on 45% field goal percentage and 4.6 rebounds. On defense, he was not scared to go at the top big men in the league, and showed versatility that looked extremely promising for a rookie.
While occasionally inconsistent on offense, Hendricks demonstrated that he has the potential to evolve into a valuable asset in this rebuilding phase. In his second year, he could take a significant step forward and become the player we envisioned when he was drafted. However, for now, his rookie season merits a solid C+.
Keyonte George: B
I love George. He is fun, streaky, and shows a lot of promise. Like most rookies, he had some stretches of inconsistency, but when he was clicking, it was exciting for all Jazz fans. George was the only rookie of the to play in the summer league, and he made an immediate impact on the team before going down with an injury.
In his rookie season, George averaged 13 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting a concerning 39.1% from the field. If George can improve his efficiency, he could become a force in the league and a pivotal piece in the Jazz's rebuild. Despite initially coming off the bench, George earned several starts, which proved instrumental in his development as the season progressed.
Without a doubt, George gave fans something to be excited about and believe in, going as far as to compare him to Jazz legend Deron Williams. Considering his promise alongside his minor efficiency struggles, we assign George's rookie season a B.
Brice Sensabaugh: C
Much like Hendricks, we didn't get to see a whole lot of Sensabaugh with the Utah Jazz until later in the season. However, he was torching teams in the G league. Similar to George, the Ohio State product had some slumps and efficiency issues, but proved to be a flashy scorer who could get a bucket from just about anywhere.
In his rookie campaign, Sensabaugh averaged 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 39%. His playing style bears a strong resemblance to Jordan Clarkson's, and if he can refine his shot selection and increase his shooting accuracy, he has the potential to become a vital scorer for the Utah Jazz in the future.
Had his shooting percentage been higher and had he been given more opportunities, his grade could have been a bit higher. Considering his performance, a C seems like a fair grade for Sensabaugh, but like the other rookies, he exhibits considerable promise. The future of the Utah Jazz appears to be in good hands