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Baylor Bears freshman Keyonte George is starting to heat up during the NCAA season. The talented guard has dazzled fans with his ability on offense.
Coming into the season, George was projected as a potential lottery selection for the 2023 NBA draft. That hype has started to build even more after his impressive display so far.
George, ranked third nationally by ESPN, is the highest-ranked recruit ever landed by Baylor. Listed at 6-foot-4, George has the ability to be a dangerous outside threat. He's a lethal shooter who can take over a game at the snap of a finger.
But other areas of his game have started to impress NBA scouts. George has been a sensational playmaker for the 12th-ranked Baylor Bears (8-2). George got the praise of college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein, who compared George's game to that of Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray.
"So much Jamal Murray in Keyonte George," Rothstein tweeted.
Baylor freshman Keyonte George off to strong start in 2022-23 NCAA season
The buzz surrounding Keyonte George, who has been asked to do a lot for Baylor from the start, has only gotten louder throughout the season. He's averaging 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game and shooting 40.2%, including 32.1% from 3-point range.
Entering the season, the freshman guard, who was a five-star recruit and a McDonald's All-Amercian, was expected to be one of the country's top outside shooters. While his percentages haven't been as high as expected, George has been a pleasant surprise due to his versatility. In his last three games, George is averaging 19.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 3.7 apg.
One of his most impressive games came against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, now ranked 11th. In a 64-63 win on Dec. 2, George finished with 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting to go with six rebounds.
The Baylor Bears have one of the nation's most dangerous backcourts. Playing alongside senior Adam Flagler (15.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and junior LJ Cryer (15.3 ppg), George has had to share some of the workload on a nightly basis.
Baylor will take on Northwestern State on Tuesday, giving George another opportunity to showcase his ability.
Keyonte George has done a great job of demonstrating his versatility. If he can continue to play at this level, he's going to be a favorite to be a top 10 selection in the NBA draft.
