After appearing in just 32 games during his rookie year with the Jazz, Brice Sensabaugh has already nearly matched that total in his second season, earning minutes off the bench in 26 of Utah’s 32 contests so far. Sensabaugh still isn’t playing a major role, but he has been more effective during his time on the court, making 45.0% of his shots from the field and 38.0% of his three-pointers after posting a .390 FG% and .296 3PT% last season.
Speaking to Grant Afseth of RG.org, Sensabaugh admitted that the learning curve has been steep as he continues to adjust to the NBA after thriving in his lone college season at Ohio State.
“The games come fast, and it’s all the best players in the world, so you really have to lock into the details,” Sensabaugh said. “Taking time to watch film with the coaches and preparing ahead of games is important. You play teams multiple times, so you adjust. Doing your work early on defense and being in the right spot helps you avoid playing from behind.”
Sensabaugh added that remaining in Salt Lake City during the 2024 offseason and working closely with the team’s coaching staff has helped him understand what he needs to do to earn minutes and what the Jazz want to see from him going forward.
“They’ve been transparent with what they want from us. We have a bunch of meetings and conversations outside of practice to clarify things,” Sensabaugh said. “Being around the whole summer and getting our real work in Utah has helped a lot, especially for the young guys. We know what the coaches want, and if we keep building together, I think we can be special for sure.”
Here’s more out of Utah:
- Should the Jazz be worried about Lauri Markkanen‘s decline in shooting efficiency or Keyonte George‘s defense? In the view of Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune, the latter is more concerning than the former, since Markkanen is facing more defensive attention than ever and has been forced to take more difficult shots. George, on the other hand, has statistically been the worst defensive player on the league’s worst defensive team — Utah’s league-worst 119.7 defensive rating drops to a team-worst 123.6 during George’s minutes. George has good size for a guard (6’4″, with a wingspan of nearly 6’8″) and should be better defensively, according to Larsen, who says it’s imperative that the 21-year-old improve on that end of the court.
- Cody Williams‘ offensive numbers through his first 19 NBA games (3.5 PPG on .312/.238/.643 shooting) have been brutal, so it was encouraging to see him go off for a season-high 36 points on 13-of-21 shooting for the Salt Lake City Stars on Wednesday, writes Larsen. Larsen suggests it might be better for Williams’ development, at least for now, to have him taking 20 shots per game in the G League rather than “being along for the ride” at the NBA level.
- The two-way contract that Elijah Harkless signed with the Jazz on Wednesday is for two years, Hoops Rumors has learned. That means it will cover not just the rest of the 2024/25 season but ’25/26 as well, giving Utah the option of hanging onto Harkless beyond this season without having to negotiate a new deal.
Keyonte hasn’t even been a good offensive player to this point. He needs to get good at something, anything, first.
He’s had plenty of good to great offensive games. He just goes through shooting slumps here and there.
Happens when he thinks too much of the mechanics and not aiming. Can tell when his jumpshots aren’t flowing naturally.
The overall numbers still aren’t very good, though, and that’s all that really matters in the end. I’m not saying he doesn’t have potential on the offensive end, but if he’s going to continue being an awful defender he’ll have to really shine on that end of the floor. Of course, if he can clean things up defensively that would be great too.
Since this will likely be the last tank year the clock is ticking for him and the rest of the young players to show their stuff before the new crop of first-round picks potentially arrive and the organization looks to shift focus.
I agree he needs to be more consistent. It’s just not as dire since he’s better than most second year players. After this Summer will be telling of his projected development.
I also think the Jazz will tank next year as well. AJ Dybantsa will be entering the draft after playing for BYU and Utah Prep before that. Means he knows how awesome it really is to live in Utah, and not what certain propaganda says. There would be a level of familiarity and comfort being drafted by the Jazz. Should be a fun couple of drafts, regardless.
Jazz are a mess. Have been rebuilding thru draft since trading Rudy. From contender to lottery residency. That’s what Danny has done. Now with Copper coming out (19 yrs old). You know he’s tanking for bottom three. And then what ???? Build around him.
Watching Jazz vs Knicks. I can see why Thibs would want Kessler. He’s big rebs and plays D. Thibs can definitely help him get better. Clarkson also made an impression with his scoring off the bench. Knicks need that.
If Jazz want to tank for this draft. Moving both Kessler and Clarckson would do the trick.
Mitch, Kolek, a #1 pick should get it done. Mitch can be moved to a third team. For a pick.
Jazz get a top three pick. Knicks strengthen their bench. With scoring and a backup C.
I can live with this …..
Sorry, but that’s a terrible trade for the Jazz. That pick would have to be unprotected and from another team. Cuz the Jazz would rather keep Kessler than take on Mitch. Kessler has shown he’s only getting better; especially from last year to this year.
Honestly, I just don’t see the Jazz trading Kessler. I do see them trading Clarkson, Sexton, and maybe Collins.
However, when the Jazz owner keeps interfering then you get these weird half tanks. They hang onto vets too long. Their record then isn’t bad enough or good enough to get where they need to be.
The Jazz need a new GM.