Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy has highlighted guard Isaiah Collier's excellent start to training camp, praising his physical condition and improved daily approach. This positive internal development arrives as the team aims to move past a difficult closing stretch to the 2025-26 season, which included a 156-137 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on April 8.
Collier, entering his third year, has evidently made a strong impression on the coaching staff early. Hardy's comments suggest the young guard is positioning himself for a larger role in the upcoming NBA season.
Speaking before the Jazz's second preseason game, Hardy was direct in his assessment. "I think Zay has had a great camp," Hardy said. He pointed to Collier's physical readiness and, more importantly, a refreshed mental approach. "Whatever self-assessment he did, it's put him in a great headspace in terms of his approach every day," Hardy explained.
The coach clarified this wasn't a critique of Collier's past effort but a recognition of his growth. "He's just, you know, one year later, and you can feel it when you speak to him," Hardy added. He noted improvements in Collier's overall understanding of the game and his specific role within the team's system.
The praise from camp has translated to the preseason court. In Utah's first exhibition game against the Denver Nuggets, Collier posted a solid line of nine points, four rebounds, four assists, and zero turnovers. He followed that up with a similar performance in the second contest.
This efficient play, avoiding mistakes while contributing across multiple categories, is exactly what the Jazz need. It builds a case for more consistent minutes in a backcourt that includes Keyonte George, who secured a major contract extension after a breakout year.
Hardy's positive remarks about a young player provide a bright spot as the team prepares for a new campaign. The Jazz's recent form has been challenging. Their last five games of the previous season resulted in one win and four losses, a sequence that ended with four consecutive defeats.
Those final losses included heavy defeats like a 140-106 result against the Houston Rockets on April 4 and the 156-137 loss to New Orleans. They also fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-113 on March 31 and the Phoenix Suns 134-109 on March 29. Their last victory was a 128-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20, preceded by a 119-116 victory against the Golden State Warriors on March 10.
This history makes internal development vital. For Collier, a former first-round pick, seizing this opportunity could be significant. A strong season from him would add backcourt depth and scoring options for a team looking to improve its defensive consistency and offensive execution.
The focus now shifts to whether Collier can maintain this level through the remainder of the preseason and into the regular season.
