Keyonte George opens up on Baylor ties with Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz had three first-round selections in the 2023 NBA Draft: UCF power forward Taylor Hendricks at No. 9, Baylor guard Keyonte George at No. 16, and Ohio State wing Brice Sensabaugh at No. 28. The trio was recently introduced during their rookie introductory press conference, where they got the opportunity for the first time address members of the media as members of the Jazz organization.

George already shared a few ties with Utah before they drafted him, thanks to the number of former Balyor players who have recently played for the franchise. During the introductory press conference, the newest Jazz guard opened up on the ties between the two and how they are helping him adjust to life at the next level.

“Yeah, I know Jared (and) Royce O’Neale. Those are the only two I know. But yeah, no, I know most of them. Jared is probably one of the guys that I’ve been communicating with the most. You know, he’s been through different paths during this. So it’s good to have different perspectives on a lot of things coming into this different world,” said George.

George ended up as a one-and-done college basketball player for Baylor. He put up 15.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Bears, which helped him earn the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award. What pro scouts loved about George was his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame and his ability to make shots from long-range. Despite his talent level and skill, George fell outside of the lottery portion of the NBA, which was perfect for Utah, who selected him No. 16 overall.

Jared Butler, who was a member of Baylor’s 2021 National Championship squad while earning the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player during that championship run, was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round of the 2021 Draft. However, his rights were traded away to the Utah Jazz, where he spent his first year in the NBA between them and their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.

Butler is the most recent Baylor player to call Utah home outside of George. And despite the two not playing for the Bears at the same time, the duo has still developed chemistry and a bond off the court. With Butler fulfilling a mentor-style role for George, it gives the Jazz rookie someone who was not only familiar with the NBA but also the organization who can help him adjust to life in his new surroundings.