2023 NBA Mock Draft: Spurs land franchise PG, tanking pays off for Pistons

I had the pleasure of watching Keyonte George in-person more than any other prospect this season and, generally speaking, I almost always came away pleased with what I saw in some form or fashion. The 6’4” combo guard was labeled as an elite shot-maker coming out of IMG Academy, but many had questions about his defensive efficacy, playmaking ability, and athleticism.

Thankfully, many of these questions were answered during his lone season at Baylor. George is a decent, but not great athlete that can struggle to create separation at times with the ball in his hands, but has shown some encouraging signs of functional strength when leading with his chest on drives to the bucket. 

Despite underwhelming athleticism, though, George’s ancillary skills that accompany his shooting—specifically his ball-handling and playmaking—have shown to make up for his athletic shortcomings on occasion. His playmaking in particular continues to be an underrated part of his game, but the flashes of quick processing and execution on passes have been encouraging when they didn’t result in turnovers.