Overview:
Keyonte George, a Utah Jazz player, recently reflected on his journey back to his hometown of Lewisville, Texas, where he received a warm welcome from the community. For George, being seen at home is about more than celebration, it’s about visibility – letting kids see what’s possible. He hopes to inspire and show that NBA players are real. In his third season, George is focused on consistency and learning how to control a game. He’s been leaning on veteran voices and trusting the work and taking the pressure off himself. George also emphasizes the importance of giving back and being grateful for the opportunities he’s been given.
DALLAS — Last weekend came full circle for Keyonte George. On Friday night, Lewisville honored one of its own at Lewisville High School. A day later, after the Utah Jazz faced the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, George reflected on what it meant to be back where his journey started.
“Yeah, it meant a lot,” George said. “Just having the city come out and feeling the love made me emotional because I haven’t been back in a long time. Thinking about the memories I had there, it meant a lot going back home. Having my family there and the high school guys — being able to show that NBA players are real.”
For George, being seen at home is about more than celebration. It’s about visibility — letting kids see what’s possible.
That idea connects to something he picked up from Utah Jazz assistant coach Chris Jones.
“He has this thing called ‘Living Proof,’” George said. “It stuck with me because I’m living proof of what the work looks like and where it can take you, especially from a small city where everybody knows everybody. So it’s always meant a lot to go back and show love.”
Lewisville is where it began. Baylor is where it sharpened him. The NBA is where he’s still growing.
Consistency Lets George Control the Game
Now in his third season, George is learning how to control a game, not just play in it.
“For me, the main thing this season is consistency,” he said. “The shots I’m taking are cleaner. I understand the game more now. I still have more to learn, but I see it better. Every game is different, so I’m just trying to play the game.”
Veteran voices have helped guide that growth.
“I’ve been leaning on my vets,” George said. “Georges [Niang] tells me, ‘Get to the spot,’ and Kyle [Anderson] tells me, ‘Beat your man to the three — that makes something happen.’ I’m just trying to figure all that out.”
The learning curve hasn’t slowed.
“I feel like it’s been a fast progression this year,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of different coverages and defenders. Learning on the fly is something my player development staff and I have really focused on.”
“Trusting the Work”
What’s changed most is how he handles pressure.
“I couldn’t ask for more — just trust the work, trust the process, trust the organization and what they want to do with me and the team,” George said. “I’ve been trusting the work and taking the pressure off myself. I walk with the Lord every day, so putting the pressure on Him instead of me has really helped me.”
That mindset stretches beyond basketball.
“This game gives us many opportunities to give back,” George said. “It’s about what you do with the platform — what you do with the money and the fame. You can choose to be arrogant, or you can choose to be a giver.”
For George, the choice is clear.
“For me, it’s about giving back,” he said. “Understanding the platform I have, I’m able to put a smile on somebody’s face every day. It doesn’t take much to say hi or give a handshake. I take pride in that.”
Perspective keeps him grounded.
“There are a lot of problems in this world,” George said. “People are going through real things. The fact that I can smile, breathe, and walk on two feet — I can’t ask for more. That mindset of being grateful every day has really helped me when I step on the court.”
As his play has climbed, so has the conversation around him, including talk of Most Improved Player.
“It would mean a lot,” George said. “I’ve got a picture on my phone just in case something happens. This summer I put myself in uncomfortable situations — early mornings, working even when I didn’t feel like it. If you don’t have somebody to push you, you’ve got to push yourself.”
That’s where growth lives.
“That’s when your development goes up,” he said. “I trust myself and trust my work — and when you do that, good things happen.”
From Lewisville to Baylor to the NBA — and now back home again — Keyonte George isn’t just talking about the journey.
He’s living proof of it.
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