It should come as no surprise that some of Utah Jazz veterans Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson and Malik Beasley were vocal leaders throughout the first week of training camp. But some of the youngest and most inexperienced players on the roster had standout moments in those early years.
Alongside newcomers Ochay Agbaj, Simone Fontecchio and Walker Kessler, Nikail Alexander-Walker are all said to make an impression for different reasons.
Kelly Olynyk was coming out of a weekend whirl after being traded just before camp started, but after taking the Jazz’s first official practice together, he was stunned by Agbazi’s athleticism and strength. said.
By Thursday, Agbaj was already itching for Sunday’s first preseason game against the Raptors in Edmonton, Alberta.
“I’ve been looking forward to it since I came here,” he said. “I just got the chance to go out and play.”
The next day, both Conley and head coach Will Hardy praised Alexander Walker not only for his offensive prowess, but for the confidence he showed in the first few days of summer open gym sessions and training camps. . .
“Nickel is a very skilled, versatile offensive player,” Hardy said. “He’s got a good physique, a very good passer and can get the ball into the basket. When he shoots in the open, I think it comes in. Shows confidence and I think that was really, really great for our group. His presence when he had the ball kind of calmed everyone down and he was great .
Kessler, unable to play in the summer league and whose game is a little unknown to some of the veterans on the team, has shown a maturity that many weren’t expecting. cheered some of the team’s veterans.
“Walker Kessler is dynamic and defensive and jumps over where a lot of the young guys are,” Conley said of the rookie. “I think he can change shots and block shots down low and they’re all playing with urgency. They’re fighting for jobs and opportunities and that part It’s fun just being together.”
On Thursday, the third day of training camp, a good number of players began to realize that chemistry building had increased and that people had settled into their game and were getting used to each other and their surroundings.
At the beginning of that comfort and familiarity, Fontecchio found a shoot-stroke.
“Simone is pretty good. He lit it today,” Beasley said. “He hit a lot of great threes and knows how to move without the ball. I know it was tough, but he kept pushing and he was a lot better today and made an impact.”
Of course, these are just the beginning and all the players are still getting to know each other and learning from each other on the court. But the competition and standout moments among young players not only make the rest of camp and preseason interesting, but also make it difficult for the front office to determine the final roster spot.
Jazz guard Mike Conley shoots at the end of practice on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus in Salt Lake City.
Spencer Heaps, Deseret News
