Keyonte George was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He’s already showing to be a bigtime acquisition for the Utah Jazz. After a dazzling freshman year at Baylor, George entered the NBA with considerable buzz. His second season showed us that he got better and truly improved the Cowboys offense. He averaged 15.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds a night while starting in 35 of the 67 games he played in.
George’s strong play this last season was the culmination of a professional years-long improvement. He recorded career highs in several categories: 23.8 points, 7.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.1 free throw attempts per game. His versatility as a scorer and playmaker has made him a critical member to the Jazz’s roster. That’s led to a wave of conversations about him being a Most Improved Player candidate.
Still, during the offseason, George took a pledge to develop his game and mindset. He joined Dr. Craig Manning‘s club sessions that were focused on players with three years or less of NBA experience. He channeled that passion into establishing goals. This was done in an effort to improve his game on the court as well as his mental process.
In these sessions, George explored concepts such as overcoming fear and bridging the gap between his subconscious and conscious mind. He reflected on the importance of self-awareness and self-improvement, stating, “With Craig, we’ve been talking about the simple stuff like, ‘Fear isn’t real.’ Right now, we are talking about a 3-to-1 ratio, three things you do good and do improve on.”
George’s connection with head coach Will Hardy has already changed a lot in George’s short time in Utah. From a contentious exit interview after last season, their communication got significantly better. Hardy gave Jerry candid feedback throughout their conversations, which George felt was essential.
“Our relationship is on a whole other level now. My exit interview was brutal. Will shot it to me straight,” George explained. “But also, we got to the realization where we have some great dialogue.”
That positive relationship seems to be changing George’s mindset when it comes to game-time. Hardy further observed that in order for George to be successful, he needs to develop an inner sense of expectation first and foremost.
“It starts with how he treats himself and what he expects from himself,” Hardy said.
George’s offseason work has not gone unnoticed. Assistant coach Kimmons remarked on George’s commitment to personal development, stating, “He’s seemed to lean into [the teachings] overall…taking the pieces he needs.”
George admitted he wanted to make the All-Star team and win the Most Improved Player award. He understood that putting the team before personal achievement was essential to pursuing greater accomplishments.
“Obviously, it’s human nature to think about some of the individual accolades. That has popped up on my mind,” George admitted. “But the main thing for me is winning and getting better, honestly, every single day.”
While the numbers clearly show the fruits of George’s labors, nothing can quantify the commitment behind it all. George shot a career-high 44.9% from the field in 2021-22. This notable improvement arguably makes him a top contender for recognition in upcoming awards season.
Additionally, George has created an approach for addressing challenges on the court. Most importantly, he has learned to reset himself after difficult moments, realizing that things that seem like the end of the road are usually just detours on the journey.
“I remember telling him in that conversation that if he thinks I’m going to stop…he is wrong. I’m going to be forehead to forehead in the fight until we get to where we want to go,” Hardy expressed about their ongoing relationship.
This forward-looking approach has enabled George to keep a clear head on the court, keeping him focused on bringing strategies to life with intention.
George’s commitment to self-improvement extends beyond physical training. He is deeply engaged in cultivating his mental fortitude with Manning’s guidance.
“Craig says that is the fastest way to develop. I’ve seen a big jump with that. My mind is clearer on the court,” George stated.
With George getting set for his first full season with the Jazz, there is palpable excitement surrounding him in Utah’s front office. His great progress and impressive resolve point to the fact that he is poised to improve his game to even higher levels.
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