Photo by Harry How/Getty Images Jason Preston and Kenny Lofton Jr. made All-NBA G League First Team. Darius Bazley made All-NBA G League Second Team, along with the All-Defensive Team Jason Preston, Kenneth Lofton Jr, and Darius Bazley of the Utah Jazz and Salt Lake City Stars made the All-NBA G League teams. Jason Preston and Kenny Lofton Jr. made All-NBA G League First Team. Darius Bazley made All-NBA G League Second Team, along with the All-Defensive Team. These player’s incredible play was the main reason the Stars ended their regular season on an 11-game winning streak. The 2023-24 All-NBA G League First Team is comprised of Osceola Magic guard and 2023-24 Kia NBA G League MVP Mac McClung, 2023-24 Kia NBA G League Most Improved Player and Miami Heat Two-Way guard Alondes Williams, Utah Jazz Two-Way guard Jason Preston, Utah Jazz assignee Kenneth… pic.twitter.com/Bd5jVxYMp9— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 18, 2024 The 2023-24 All-NBA G League Second Team includes Orlando Magic Two-Way guard Trevelin Queen, Sacramento Kings Two-Way guard Mason Jones, New Orleans Pelicans Two-Way guard Malcolm Hill, Washington Wizards Two-Way forward Justin Champagnie, and Utah Jazz assignee Darius Bazely. pic.twitter.com/jmlilHRu7f— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 18, 2024 The 2023-24 NBA G League All-Defensive Team features 2023-24 Kia NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year and South Bay Lakers guard Shaquille Harrison, Maine Celtics center Kylor Kelley, Houston Rockets Two-Way guard Nate Hinton, Rio Grande Valley guard Trhae Mitchell, and Utah… pic.twitter.com/gYnRiJui7b— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 18, 2024 Jason Preston is a pure point guard who impacts the game in a myriad of ways. Preston posted an incredible stat line for the Stars. He nearly averaged a triple-double by scoring 16.9 points, 10 assists, and grabbing 9.2 rebounds a night. Being a rebounding threat as a 6’3 point guard is an impressive ability. The 24-year-old guard’s efficiency was incredible as he shot .498/.448/.875 for SLC. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ByDTZQ-N6L4?rel=0
Kenneth Lofton Jr. made his impact immediately as a skilled and dominant inside presence. For the Stars season, Lofton Jr. scored 23.4 points, grabbed 10.1 rebounds, and got 4.6 assists a game. Junior shot .583/.320/.514 splits for the Stars. Lofton Jr’s. ability to take over games with his strength, skill, and offensive intelligence makes him a nightly threat for opposing teams.
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Darius Bazley’s near 7-foot wingspan, 6’9 frame, and explosive athleticism made him the Stars defensive engine for the 7 games he played for the team. Bazley’s per game Stars averages were 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He shot .471/.240/.478 during his short time on the team. Bazley was the best player on the team for the Stars 1 playoff game.
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Near the end of the season, Preston, Bazley, and Lofton Jr. got some Utah Jazz playing time. For the Jazz, Preston’s passing and presence as a point guard were apparent, but his scoring left more to be desired. To receive a standard NBA contract, Preston will need to score more reliably at the NBA level. In 6 games, Bazley made his impact through his defense and interior scoring. If Bazley can develop a more reliable 3-point jumper, he will likely be an NBA player for a long time. For the last 3 Jazz games of the season, Lofton Jr. became the offensive centerpiece when he was on the court. Lofton Jr’s. defensive deficiencies are what has kept him from being an NBA rotation player in the past, but his defense looked pretty good for his limited NBA games this season. How much do you think Jason Preston, Darius Bazley, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. will contribute to the Jazz in the 2024-2025 season? Comment Below.
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Source: https://www.slcdunk.com/nba-g-league-sa ... -nba-stars