Rookies

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Ryan Kostecka

As the Jazz have gone all in on their youth movement since the All-Star break, one of the main priorities has been putting their trio of rookies into difficult situations that will allow them to grow over the season's final month. While there have been flashes of growth and impressive play from Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh over the past month, Sunday night in Sacramento showcased why the organization remains high on their potential.&nbsp;

That trio combined to score 58 of Utah's 106 points in the 127-106 loss to the Kings. That's 55% of Utah's points against a playoff team. They combined to hit 12-of-26 (46%) from three, accounting for 75% of the team's made shots from beyond the arc on just 63% of the attempts. Those percentages came on a night they started together for just the fifth time this year — and when combined with fellow starters Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler, made Sunday's starting five the youngest in Jazz history.&nbsp;

"I think that's crazy," Sensabuagh said when told of the history made on Easter. "All three of us work really hard. … We get to the gym first, working extra hours. Just going through that together, really struggling and getting it from square one, has helped us thus far, and we're going to keep doing what we're doing now. … Just keep building on that, keep getting experience, and playing against these good teams."

"I think this will help us a lot in the future."

While much has been made about the play of Utah's first two draft picks, Hendricks and George, lately, Sensabaugh has continued to fly under the radar. After his showing on Easter, that may be hard to do for the remainder of the season. Jumping into the starting lineup in place of the injured Lauri Markkanen, Sensabaugh dropped a career-high 22 points on 6-of-14 from the field.&nbsp;

What made his night even more impressive is that Sensabaugh was coming off the worst shooting performance of his career just two nights ago against Houston. He went 0-for-8 (0-for-7 from three) from the floor in 25 minutes. Despite his shots not falling, Sensabaugh played an engaged game and finished with five assists and four rebounds — flashing signs that his zero-point effort was just an off night.&nbsp;

Fast-forward to Sunday and Sensabaugh flashed his high-level shooting when he knocked down a career-high five threes. He also added four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

"I think I had been struggling shooting the ball a little bit. … So, tonight I was just in rhythm," he said. "It's not really surprising to me because I put in a lot of work every day. … For it to be able to pay off tonight, it felt really good."

However, Sensabaugh wasn't the only rookie having a career night against Sacramento. Already having made good strides on defense, Hendricks showed his offensive ability against the Kings when he finished with 18 points on 6-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from three. His point total, made shots, and three-pointers were all career highs.&nbsp;

He showed strides offensively as he’s evolved from just a spot-up shooter from three, knocking down shots while coming off screens. His ability to get his feet set and body lined up with the rim when coming off these screens was something he wasn't doing a few months ago. He also looked more comfortable attacking off the bounce, getting to the rim, and knocking down 2-of-3 from the free-throw line.&nbsp;

As for George, he rounded out the rookie trio with 18 points. Although it wasn't his best shooting night, every shot he took was in rhythm with the offense. Instead of forcing or settling for awkward or contested jumpers, George attacked the rim and was rewarded with a 7-for-7 night from the charity stripe.&nbsp;

While he added just two assists, he played within the flow of the offense and kept the ball moving. He won't get credit for it, but he finished with at least six "hockey" assists — better known as the pass before the pass that sets up the shot.&nbsp;

"I think for us three, going down the line, it's really rare to get three first-round picks for any team," Sensabaugh said. "For us to be able to get these minutes right now and not take it for granted at all because there's some rookies who don't even smell the floor their first year. … For us to be playing 30 minutes and starting together is really important, and we don't take it for granted. We're making sure we're sponges to information, listen to the older guys, and give input when we see things as well. … I think it'll help us out a lot."

Although Sunday may have been a nice feather in the cap for the rookies, they understand it's all just a small step towards a much larger goal. They aren't the only ones sharing that sentiment, and that's why the final seven games of the year could be crucial to the team's future.

"We are building our program. … We have a goal out there in the distance to win a championship in Utah, and these seven games are important," head coach Will Hardy said. "We don't want to let any game go by where we are not attacking it both mentally and physically. With that goal in mind, everybody can improve individually. … We can improve as a team, we can improve as a staff. It's on all of us to use these seven games and recognize what the bigger goal is.&nbsp;

"I think it's easy to give in to 'Oh we've been eliminated from the playoffs and so the seven games don't matter.' They very much do matter. … They matter to the young players, they matter to the staff, and that's how we're going to attack it."

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"Keep Getting Experience" — Playing Meaningful Minutes Resulting in Massive Growth for Trio of Jazz Rookies

Heading into the NBA draft back in June, there might not have been a team more with more questions than the Utah Jazz.&nbsp;

Armed with three first round picks (No. 9, 16, 28), Utah faced a world of possibilities. That made the Jazz and GM Justin Zanik among the most intriguing people that night, with many wondering what Utah would do.&nbsp;

Turns out, Zanik did nothing — and he couldn't have been more thrilled.&nbsp;

"Really happy with how the draft played out," he said that night. "The draft took a really fortunate turn for us. … We're leaning into talent and getting many talented players on the roster. We need guys that have an upside and chance to grow with the right kind of development, with the right kind of hard work. … That's what we got tonight."

The Jazz took Taylor Hendricks (UCF) at No. 9, Keyonte George (Baylor) at No. 16, and Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State) at No. 28.&nbsp;

"All three have good character. … All of these guys have things you can't teach," Zanik said. "All three of the guys can shoot. … They have different bodies, but all three have athleticism. We got two guys who were ranked in our top 10, and we were debating which one to take at No. 9. And then, at 28, we got a guy who was in our top 18."

It hasn't all been smooth sailing for the three rookies since that night in June, as they've been dealing with various injuries that caused them to miss time on the court this summer.&nbsp;

But after months of rehab and living in the gym, they've been fully cleared for action and will be full go when Utah tips off training camp in Hawaii on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"They are extremely hard workers. … They've all been here basically all summer," Zanik said of the rookies during last Friday's press conference. "We've even tried to kick them out of the gym, but they keep coming back. They are what we thought about them as far as their character, their work ethic and let alone their talent. … I'm excited to have them start their journey."

While there will be expected growing pains throughout training camp, the rookies will have an incredible opportunity with their teammates. Trust in one another is crucial for success in the NBA, and it's the quickest way to get on the court during the regular season.&nbsp;

"I think there is a world where each of them could play themselves into minutes," head coach Will Hardy said. "It's about earning the trust of their teammates. … If their teammates think that they can help them win, they'll be all about it."

But how do the rookies earn the trust of their teammates and coaches?

"I'm just playing my role, not being too worried about how many minutes I play. … Just trying to help the team win," Hendricks said.

"Just counting to be unselfish and have an unselfish mind. … At some point, I'll be able to gain that trust and be able to lead this team in a way," George added. 

Although training camp will provide ample opportunity to earn the trust of their teammates, they've already earned some recognition for how they've approached the summer.&nbsp;

"They go at it. ... They have not backed down one second out here playing with our veteran guys," Hardy said. "And so training camp is going to show us a lot, because it is a very different environment."

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"Have Not Backed Down" | Utah's Trio Of Rookies Ready To Earn Teammates Trust At Training Camp

Jeremy Rincon

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed forward&nbsp;Taylor Hendricks, guard Keyonte George, and forward Brice Sensabaugh.&nbsp;Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released.

Selected 9th overall in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Jazz,&nbsp;Hendricks (6-9, 210, Central Florida) put up averages of 15.2 points on 47.8 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three, along with 7.0 boards, 1.7 blocks, and 1.4 assists in 34.7 minutes per contest during his sole collegiate campaign. He earned 2022-23 All-AAC Second Team and All-AAC Freshman Team honors in a season where he notched six games with 20-or-more points and five double-doubles.&nbsp;

George (6-4, 185, Baylor), drafted 16th&nbsp;overall by Utah, appeared in 33 games (all starts) in his lone collegiate season last year, averaging 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in 28.7 minutes per contest, garnering 2022-23 Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. The 19-year-old also earned 2022-23 All-Big 12 Second Team, All-Big 12 Newcomer Team, and All-Big 12 Freshman Team accolades. In 2022-23, he posted 12 games with 20-or-more points, knocking down multiple threes in 22 contests.

Sensabaugh (6-6, 235, Ohio State), selected with the 28th&nbsp;pick, appeared in 33 games (21 starts) during the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 16.3 points. 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 24.5 minutes per game, garnering 2022-23 All-Big Ten Third Team honors. The native of Orlando, Fla., also received 2022-23 All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors, ranked third nationally in scoring average among freshmen, and was the first Ohio State player to lead the team in scoring since D’Angelo Russell in 2015.&nbsp;

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Jazz Sign Hendricks, George, and Sensabaugh 

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PHOTOS | Welcome to Utah

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