Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George is heading into this summer with a detailed approach (averaged 16.8 PPG/3.8 RPG/5.6 APG/0.7 SPG/39.1% FG/34.3% 3-PT/81.8% FT in 67 games played as a sophomore).
*set career-highs in PPG, RPG, APG, SPG, and 3-PT percentage*
*tied career-best for FG percentage*
(via Utah Jazz):
On adding to his game: “I think something I can add to my game is probably obviously the jump shot can always get more consistent. But I think for me is I think this year I’ve been in a lot more ISO situations, so I think it’s about kinda knowing what Imma get to. Obviously you’ve gotta have a plethora of moves, but I think just something I can go off, and then start making reads. Obviously add that to my game, and I think also adding the mid-range jump shot. Obviously when it comes down to the postseason and you watch all these great guards in our league — they get to the paint, they rise up over smaller defenders.
“I think I can add that bump to the mid-range jump shot, my paint game, working on my paint game — I think that’s what Imma add the most this summer. Obviously, I feel like I have the range and the outside shot. It’s just about now when teams start taking that away, what else can I get to? I think I finished the ball really well this season, but now it’s just about that in-between game, being that three-level scorer. And after that, the game just starts opening up.”
On gaining strength this offseason: “This summer working a lot on my legs, my base — that’s been the main point of emphasis. So, getting my legs stronger. Obviously my upper body is going to come with it, but the main focus has to be my lower half and my core just to have the ability to stay on balance. So like I said, when you bump guys off, you might be on balance, off balance. So the stronger you are in your lower half, it makes it a lot easier when you get in that in-between game — you’re able to bump guys off and raise over and feel on balance jumping off two feet. So if I can get to that a lot next season and obviously work during the summer, but if I can consistently feel how that feels… Shooting the ball is the easy part — that’s the touch, the feel. So if I can stay on balance, it’ll make it a lot easier for me.”
