{"id":699197,"date":"2026-04-05T06:24:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T06:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/699197\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T06:24:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T06:24:44","slug":"jazzs-most-overlooked-youngster-might-be-their-biggest-x-factor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/699197\/","title":{"rendered":"Jazz’s most overlooked youngster might be their biggest X-Factor"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s no doubt the Utah Jazz are one of the most interesting teams as we head into the offseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They have an All-Star scorer in Lauri Markkanen, a former Defensive Player of the Year with Jaren Jackson Jr., a young breakout guard in Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey, one of the top rookies.<\/p>\n

A free agency decision with Walker Kessler looms but all signs point to Utah retaining the big man, giving the Jazz a formidable starting five while also potentially having the opportunity to add a top draft pick to the fold.<\/p>\n

On top of all of this, Utah may have found another gem in their midst: Brice Sensabaugh<\/p>\n

Sensabaugh has consistently demonstrated the ability to be an effective shot creator, dating back to his freshman year at Ohio State.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In his one-and-only season in Columbus, Sensabaugh showcased his scoring prowess, scoring 16.3 points a night while also shooting 40.5% from 3-point range.<\/p>\n

The third-year pro has caught fire for the Jazz recently, averaging 24.2 points over his past 12 games and nearly 20 points since the turn of the calendar.<\/p>\n

Sensabaugh has recorded two 40-point games in that stretch, pouring in 43 points off the bench against the Bulls<\/a> in January and a 41-point game against the Timberwolves in March.<\/p>\n

The scoring explosion from Sensabaugh is a testament to his growth as a player since coming to Utah as the 28th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

Is he Utah\u2019s bench scorer of the future?<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports! Kevin O’Connor recently raved about Sensabaugh\u2019s game on his podcast and believes that his recent stretch of play is a result of his development in the NBA.<\/p>\n

Brice Sensabaugh is putting up monster stats for the Utah Jazz. 25.2 ppg over his last 10 games on absurd star level efficiency. Are you buying stock? pic.twitter.com\/HFsgaTK9OW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like this is just a hot end of season stretch, to me, this is Brice Sensabaugh, the guy that you expected to stay multiple years at Ohio State in college developing over time but it happened in the NBA,\u201d O\u2019Connor said.<\/p>\n

Sensabaugh has shown plenty of growth this season and has so every year since entering the league. Each season, Sensabaugh has raised his PPG by at least three points and has been efficient while doing so.<\/p>\n

\"Brice<\/p>\n

Apr 3, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) shoots outside against Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Could Sensabaugh be an overlooked piece on this Jazz roster? O\u2019Connor thinks so.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m a Jazz fan, I\u2019m excited about Ace Bailey. I can\u2019t wait to get Jaren Jackson Jr. back next year. I\u2019m stoked about Keyonte George, but I\u2019m also looking at Brice Sensabaugh,\u201d O\u2019Connor said. \u201cIt\u2019s like \u2018Wait a minute, do we secretly have a 20-25 point\u00a0 per game guy on our roster starting next year?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Now it might be easy to say that O\u2019Connor might be a bit too in love with Sensabaugh\u2019s game. When Utah is fully healthy next season and potentially adds another top draft prospect, there doesn\u2019t seem to be a spot in the starting lineup for Sensabaugh.<\/p>\n

But that might be good for the Jazz. Having Sensabaugh come off the bench in a Jordan Clarkson<\/a>-type role to be that go-to scorer off the bench can be beneficial for Utah. <\/p>\n

\u201cThose are the thoughts that\u2019d be going on through my mind if I were a Utah Jazz fan watching this guy score tough buckets against great defenders night in, night out,\u201d O\u2019Connor said.<\/p>\n

Sensabaugh isn\u2019t a great defender and the most willing playmaker, but his shot creation and ability to get to his spots on the court to score buckets could play a huge role as the Jazz hope to take a leap next season.<\/p>\n