When you think of young talent on the Utah Jazz, who do you think of? Many would think of the new star Ace Bailey, perhaps Keyonte George, maybe even Walker Kessler.
A name currently flying under the radar, and one Jazz fans should be excited about, is the elite sharpshooter from The Ohio State, Brice Sensabaugh.
Sensabaugh quietly led the Jazz in points per game in the preseason, averaging about 19.5 ppg – three and a half points more than the team’s new star Ace Bailey.
Summer League Wonder
Sensabaugh’s elite scoring patterns don’t stop with a streaky preseason. In the Salt Lake City Summer League, Sensabaugh broke the Salt Lake City Summer League scoring record with 37 points off of 14 field goal attempts and, even more impressive, came up with a steal to seal the game.
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Averaging 28 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, Sensabaugh became a number-one option for the young Jazz squad in Summer League. This differs tremendously from the previous regular season’s stats when he only averaged 10.9 points and three rebounds a game.
The Signs are There
Sensabaugh’s skill should not be a surprise to Jazz fans. Last year in a two-game stretch in Florida, Sensabaugh led the injury riddled Jazz to two wins over the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, averaging 30.5 points.
The Magic game, specifically, was the most impressive. The Jazz had little to no starters playing and the Magic were a playoff team in the 2024-25 season.
Sure, most NBA players can get hot and win a game; however, Sensabaugh showed in limited minutes he can carry a team offensively – a skill most second-year players have yet to acquire.
There’s a Fork in the Road for Sensabaugh
The question still remains: What will Sensabaugh become? He has all the tools and makings to become an All-Star caliber player. “I do think [Sensabaugh] has the potential. To get there he’s going to have to be a scorer,” Ben Anderson, Jazz beat writer for KSL Sports, told The Lead in an exclusive interview. “He’s kind of a specialist already as a three-point shooter, so I think it is about probably getting into the paint more.”
Getting to the paint is already on Sensabaugh’s radar. He’s five-for-six on shots in the paints so far this season and seven-for-10 from two overall.
Will this pattern of growth continue?
“I think he’s asked to shoot more than he is to dribble, so while that’s probably better for his career, it’s probably worse for any upside of him becoming an All-Star,” said Anderson.
Sensabaugh is still a subpar defender, and the Jazz need a scorer off the bench to even out lineups.
All-Star or Sixth Man?
With his third season ahead, Sensabaugh’s destiny hangs in the balance. If he sticks to what the team wants him to do, Jazz fans could see the second coming of Jordan Clarkson – which would be more than enough for the Jazz.
If fate smiles upon him, there is a likely path to becoming an All-Star. The route is being the third- or fourth-best player on a really good team. The Jazz have a real shot at letting Sensabuagh be that if their rookie picks like Bailey or George continue to develop.
“Kyle Korver made the All-Star team as kind of a specialist,” said Anderson. “[Specialists] do have a pathway based on the impact that they have because of their scoring, on a team that is inarguably great.”
Much like the legendary Korver of old, Sensabaugh has a real chance at stitching his name in the tapestry of not only Jazz history, but NBA history as a specialist legend.
With a fresh season at hand, Sensabaugh has a chance to make this year special. As he continues to put up stats with a limited number of minutes, his progression is only one of many stories happening on the Jazz this year.
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