Former Ohio State and current Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh has gotten off to a strong start in the 2024 NBA Summer League.
After missing all of last year’s Summer League slate due to a knee injury that also sidelined him for the end of his lone season at Ohio State, the Jazz’ second-year player stuffed the stat sheets in Utah’s first game on Monday night, scoring 15 points on 41.7 percent shooting while adding six rebounds, one assist and one block to help the franchise squeak out a 97-95 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Sensabaugh, who was drafted by the Jazz with the 28th overall selection in the 2023 NBA draft after playing one season at Ohio State, helped his team overcome a 52-41 halftime deficit by notching eight of his 15 points in the second half on an efficient 3-of-6 shooting, a stretch that included an impressive step-back three-pointer that pushed the Jazz lead to 73-68 with just under nine minutes remaining.
The former Buckeye, who did record a game-high seven turnovers on the night, was also involved in a notable moment late in the second quarter of the contest when he received an after-the-whistle bump from former Purdue superstar and current Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey after fouling Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia, which led to a double technical called on Edey and Jazz guard Keyontae George.
Regardless, Sensabaugh’s strong offensive performance is a welcome sight for a Jazz team that is looking for the second-year player to emerge as one of the team’s top young performers this upcoming season. The first-round draft pick appeared in 32 games for Utah as a rookie in 2023-24, averaging 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 39.0 percent shooting.
Most of his action occurred towards the end of the season, though, as Sensabaugh spent the early portion of the year with the Jazz’ G League team Salt Lake City Stars, appearing in 13 games and recording 19.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field.
Sensabaugh will continue fine tuning his game throughout the summer for the Jazz Summer League team, which has at least six more games on the slate this July in both Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Sensabaugh and the Jazz will take the floor next on Tuesday night in Salt Lake City when they face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 9 p.m., with the game airing live on ESPN2.
Sensabaugh is one of three former Buckeyes on an NBA Summer League roster, with forwards Jamison Battle and Jaedon LeDee occupying roster spots on the Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively. Battle will begin his professional career Saturday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder (8:30 p.m., NBA TV), while LeDee, who spent just one season with the Buckeyes before transferring to TCU and then San Diego State, will start his on Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans (5 p.m., ESPN2).
