Hour 1: Isaiah Collier & Cody Williams Talking Utah Jazz & Summer League | Utah Mammoth Prospects…

Hour 1: Isaiah Collier & Cody Williams Talking Utah Jazz & Summer League | Utah Mammoth Prospects…

Good morning DJ and PK. It’s 975 the zone. Welcome in on a Tuesday morning. Well, NBA free agency is underway for the Jazz. What does that mean? Well, for the Jazz that means buy now Jordan Clarkson the last year on his contract. Now, you could ask, as I have, why didn’t they trade him two years ago? And then, of course, the story was, well, they want a first round draft pick and only getting offered a second. Well, now they’re not getting a second. It’ll be interesting to see where he signs and how much he plays. Is the problem that he’s got nothing left or the league believes he has nothing left or is the problem that they just didn’t want him at that price? There’s too many teams, they’ve already spent their money and they’re up against the uh the second apron and the massive luxury tax penalties. And so, even if he helps him, I mean, he’s not worth it. The owners is not green lighting that kind of cash. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. But man, it has taken a long time to tear this team down. I mean, they knew they were tearing it down, so why does it take three full years? Why? I don’t think there’s a good answer for that. Because mistakes were made. I think that’s why. So, he’s gone. And then also, Johnny Juang’s been waved. Be interesting to see where he lands as well. You know, he shot it pretty well. Um, but Austin A is here and yes, he shares shares the same last name with Danny A, but uh he’s going to want his own guys. He’s going to make changes and here’s a couple of them right out of the gate. And there are other changes across the league as well. I think the biggest one is uh Cam Johnson getting traded to Denver and Michael Porter Jr. is out now. They they’ve got the same length of contract, but that’s going to free up because Michael Porter Jr.’s paid a lot more money. It’s going to free up about 17 18 million bucks which gets them under the level where now they can go use a mid-level exception and bring somebody else in. So for a team that needs depth, maybe having a player that good paid that much is just a luxury. Can they get two players and can they get a diamond in the rough? Maybe they don’t lose any quality along the way. So plenty more moves to talk about other stuff going on. We will get to all of that coming up, but uh the Jazz are most important to you. And yesterday we heard from the rookies, so we might as well hear from some secondyear guys today. Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier. Now Isaiah Collier has work to do. So does Cody Williams has a lot of work to do with Isaiah Collier, he played the point, ran it well, but uh you know doesn’t shoot it especially well. And as Danny or excuse me, as Austin was asked to the podium, one thing you’ve got is uh in all these three draft picks, you got guys who can score it. You know, is that something you’re prioritizing? He’s like, “Well, that’s pretty important.” So, u that that sentence I think you can take and apply to every single player on the roster because when it’s important, it’s now there are guys who maybe don’t have to score as well because the other things they do, but I don’t think they’re going to have many players on this roster who can’t score it. So, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with Isaiah Collier and how much his uh his shooting percentages improve and how much more efficient he becomes. Here’s Isaiah Collier.
It was uh What’s your summer look like in terms of training? Uh definitely getting in shape. Uh that’s the one number one thing for me. You know what we all the organization me talked about just getting in shape. Um getting stronger. Um getting the body right. So I mean that’s the main thing. And then you know the work on the court. So yeah.
When we watched the finals, we saw ball pressure was such a big and Scott said that’s been a big special for you guys as well. What do you see in that as far as your your game and and your improvement? Uh, I mean, just being a strong guard. Um, I think that could be ability, you know, just to guard the ball. So, that’s a big thing for me, you know, going into next season and this summer as well, just getting better on the defensive end. Uh, I mean, I think as a whole as a team, just being more physical. Um, not being pushed around and things like that. So, I mean, uh, that’s been a main emphasis for, you know, the whole team, just being more physical.
Do you have an emphasis that you want to like work on during the summer leagues?
Uh, I mean, for us is just competing. Um, that’s the number one thing. Um, I think everybody has a goal just, you know, just to get better this summer. Um, so just going out there to compete, you know, of course we want to win, so winning, too. What What’s your first impression on Ace Bailey and then also I guess the other rookies as well.
Uh, I mean, I’ve seen Ace play since he was younger. So, I mean, just definitely seeing his development, you know, it’s been great, you know, and just knowing the potential he has to, you know, where is he going and, you know, he’s only 18 years old, so the sky’s is the limit for him. And then, you know, Walter, um, and John, I mean, it’s it’s it’s been great so far. So,
it was reported that Jordan Clarkson reached a buyout today. Um, how how do you what’s your thoughts on JC and seeing him go?
Yeah, I mean, of course, you know, it’s the business of basketball. Um, so I mean I think I we already talked, you know, this morning. So I mean that was my bet. So I mean definitely, you know, sad to see him go for sure. Um, I mean but you know we’re in a business of basketball where things like this happen. So I mean I know he’s going to, you know, do well where he goes next and I’m sure we’ll stay in touch. So yeah.
Like what you said he was your man. What did he like teach you? What did you learn from?
Um it was just teaching me how to be a pro basically. Um having a shortterm memory, those type of things. So, I mean, I think it was great for our team as a whole. You know, I think he was the oldest guy in our locker room. So, I mean, you know, hate to see him go, but I mean, I think he’s helped a lot of us in, you know, many ways.
There’s Jazz guard Isaiah Collier. Now, here’s Cody Williams, who after uh, you know, a very difficult slash not impressive rookie year. Needs to take a big step forward year two, needs to get bigger, needs to get stronger. He’s got a whole summer to do that. and he’s growing and it ought to happen just naturally and he needs to accelerate that. Here’s Cody Williams.
I guess first of all, can you just uh describe what the experience was like being in the finals and seeing your brother win a title?
Uh I think the biggest thing is just the atmosphere and how hard they play. Like if you look at regular season versus like game six and seven, it’s like completely different animal. So I think obviously aside from you know winning enjoying that like obviously happy for him but I think just the level of intensity that they play with kind of shows you like how you need to come out and play in practice in every game if you want to be you know championship team.
What have I guess the last couple months looked like for you training wise?
Uh wake up, eat, lift, eat, keep eating, eat all day, take a nap, wake up, eat again. And that’s kind of been the regiment. But in all seriousness, really just getting stronger and trying to put weight on. Uh I did a pretty good job of that. And then, you know, just getting my body right and healthy going into, you know, this summer league and then capitalizing off that and then just keep building.
Do you have a calorie target you’re trying to hit?
It’s like 4,800 a day. Closer I can get to like 5,000 is good. So,
what’s the best thing to eat like to get that?
I mean, at this point, I hate everything I eat cuz just you do it so much. You don’t even eat food to taste it. You’re just eating it to get calories. So, but I think like mashed potatoes, that’s a good one. Mac and cheese, steak. I really like steak. So, that’s like a If I get steak and potatoes, I’m living with that. But every time I see food now, I get high. Yeah, good.
I know. But I get a lot of it. That’s why.
Oh, yeah. But I like the protein. And then, yeah, it’s like I can really eat whatever cuz it’s not like, you know, I have to watch what I eat. It’s like eat whatever to put on weight. So, I guess there’s a fun part in that. But yeah, I hate eating. Um,
do you feel like it’s working?
It is for sure. Yeah, I feel stronger and I look stronger, so it’s definitely getting there. But it just sucks eating. I know some people are like, “Oh, I wish I had that problem.” Like, no, you don’t. Did your brother also have to do this or was he more naturally bulky?
Uh, well, when he came in, he came in 21. So, like then that season, that offseason, he was 22. Like, it’s a little bit easier for him. Like, he had his man body, so it was easier for him to put on weight. But, he was the same thing.
I think he I forget how many calories he’s eating, but it was way more than me. And he was the same thing. He was like, I got to a point where I got sick of eating and then like he think he got up to like 2:30, 235 and then obviously dropped back for season, but he had to go through the same thing. Um, tell me like with your game and you know, obviously strength is a big part of this and size, but do you feel like you’ve become a better player as well over the last couple of months?
Oh, for sure. Just my aggressiveness and consistency of my shot, it just feels way better. So, you know, just playing with more confidence and kind of just being assertive out there and then, you know, on the defensive end being stronger, it kind of allows me to impact the ball more and be disruptive. So, for me, I just feel like I can be more active and involved out there in the court because, you know, I can do a lot more things.
Seemed like you were maybe trying to change your form in that one video we saw online. Like, are you tell us about that and and in what ways you’re trying to change?
Uh, nothing really changed. I say the mid-range it was more so getting it higher up just cuz that’s kind of been a big emphasis for me this off seasonason is with my length being able to get in you know when I get in the paint being able to play off two and then just rise up especially when I have like smaller defenders. So like you know DA was talking to me just a big emphasis was just raising my pocket so I can just shoot over people.
What do you what do you kind of want to show during the summer league? Like do you want the ball in your hand a lot or what?
Oh sure. I mean, everyone wants the ball, but um I think for me it’s just being aggressive from like that’s the kind of mentality go out there, be aggressive and live with the result. You know, when you know you prepare and you put in the work, everything else will fall into place. So, for me, I just know if I’m aggressive and attacking it with the right mindset, like I’m going to show everything I want to show.
What was your first impression of the rookies?
Uh I think the biggest thing is how they embrace the physicality. um really using their hands, getting into the body and you know they’re really they adapted that pretty quickly which I think is like the biggest adjustment for rookies is like just how physical the game is. So I think for them that was like just a you know just a huge step forward for them.
All right there is Jazz man Cody Williams and we’re going to take a break when we come back. Utah hockey club also has camp going and they’ve got some some prospects in town. uh whether they’re coming from uh the minor leagues, whether they’re coming from uh college hockey and the Czech Republic, uh whether they’ve been playing professionally in Russia. We’re going to hear from uh all those guys next. Stay with us. DJ and PK. It’s 975 the zone. Good morning, DJPK. Proudly presented by our title sponsor, Black Desert Resort, Utah’s premier golf resort. Well, the Utah Hockey Club has their camp going up in Park City. Uh Dimmitri Simichev is uh is an interesting project. big guy. He has been playing in Russia. He is making the move to the United States and the NHL. And the question is, will he be in the AHL or will he start the season with the Utah Mammoth? And I think that’s a an open question unanswered. I I think we see him here pretty quickly. Whether we see him here immediately, probably still to be determined. Here’s Demetri Simich with the media
going to the NHL. Obviously, there’s it’s a different game. And and how does how does that process go for you in in rediscovering your your game offensively? Yeah, just um I’m 20 years old. Every time just I want to go to an offensive zone just um we played at D uh in the KHL for sure, but we won a championship like uh I’m agree with that. But I want to play in offensive zone just uh I doing my best and I’m all right with that.
What do you feel like you really excel at offensively? I think the shooting opportunity and just to score cuz u there was a game um in the last season we just had seven shots in the game it was like no goals just I need to work on my shoot
you got to come over with Daniel boot obviously teammates in KHL and here does it help or how does that help the transition you guys doing this together? Yeah, definitely it’s helped cuz uh uh every day we want to talk like on Russian Russian language and for Daniel uh he he know English but not good like me. So um I think when you free Russians in the team you just you want to celebrate your holidays in the season you want to talk uh on your language it’s important because uh I know the Daniel when I was like 13 like from the I was a kid and we are best friends. How has your relationship with Sergeyf improved?
He’s my buddy actually. Yeah, we training now in uh Moscow. Uh me, Sergy, and Romanov from Islanders. We skated in Moscow. He helps me with everything.
What advice has Sergev given you just you know to prepare?
Not just enjoy the process and um working on your details like how he said because he said like you know a lot but uh you’ll come to the US and you will know more. Does did it seem easier today than it did the last development camp you were at and the one before that?
I don’t know. Like yeah, could be like uh I felt more like comfortable like with the guys. Uh I could like a scream on a goalie or something like that. Just Yeah, I felt more comfortable.
How excited are you now that you’re at this point in the process where you’re over here and you’re expected to potentially make the roster? Yeah, just uh on the def camp just I want to be a leader like uh I had a good background like two years in adult hockey and just how said I doing myself for the play NHL is dream.
There’s Dmitri. Now here’s another interesting prospect. Uh Michael Ribble. Uh he is a 6 foot 6 in uh goalender. He’s only 20 years old. He’s been playing the University of Massachusetts. He was drafted two years ago when the club was still uh the Coyotes playing in Phoenix. Here’s Michael with the media.
That first practice on the ice for development camp, splitting it up, focusing with your group of goalenders a little bit and then joining the group. Can you just tell us a little bit about the things that you worked on and how you felt in that first on ice session? Yeah, I mean I’d start uh it’s great to be be back here. First practice wasn’t the easiest. I mean the elevation my lungs hurt a little bit but I’m happy to be here focus with the goalies a lot on on the release and tracking which I think you know it’s it’s very important and I think like if I like compare the first and second session like I could see like a big improvement in that. So I think it was a great start and I’m looking forward for the next days.
How did this year go at UMass for you in terms of finding consistency in your game in the second half? Yeah, I mean first uh first couple months weren’t the best, but I think the the coaches they squeezed me well. Uh they showed me what what they need from me and I think uh I gave the team team what they needed. Uh I think uh overall like the season was good, but now I’m focused uh on the next year and uh trying to win something. What went to the decision to stay at UMass rather than signing in in the NHL? Uh just talking with my parents and agent uh as a goalie, I don’t think there there’s rush anywhere. I think I’m still still young and uh playing playing less games, having more time to practice. I think I can still still get stronger, improve improve overall on and off the ice and I think that that’s going to help my game a lot.
Been in the pipeline for a while now. Just kind of curious where do you feel like you’ve made the most improvements in your game? Um I think uh like the last three years I’m in USA the the biggest improvement is in consistency which is one of the most important things for goalie. So uh that connects to to the you know mental aspect of the game. I think I I improved a lot in that. So uh on the ice you know everything tracking skating just just trying to get better every day and but there’s still still a lot of uh space to imp improve um if I want to be in the NHL. still got a lot to do.
How do you feel like the value of competition in hockey E specifically has kind of helped you develop the guys you’re facing every weekend?
Yeah, I mean it’s it’s a great league. Uh hard hard hockey. Um every game is very important, which I think is is probably the the best thing. So just just playing a good game every week, getting a lot of shots. Um so so I would say that that like hockey is probably the best best conference for goalie and I’m very happy I chose. It’s no secret Utah needs a goalie in the next few years. Is that exciting for you knowing that, you know, there’s a space for you if you work towards it?
Yeah, I mean, uh I don’t think I I look at it that way. Uh right now I’m at school. I’m trying to to to to finish school. Uh trying to to win games, improve, and then we’ll see what what the next step will be. My goal is is to play play in the NHL one day, and I’m going to do anything I can uh to achieve that. How was your experience at World Juniors and how did that kind of help propel your game forward?
Yeah, I think uh definitely a big confidence boost just just knowing you can play against the best best players in your age. Uh we had a great great group there. Uh so I I enjoyed the time uh a lot and I I’ll definitely uh remember both both of them were juniors and they also gave me a lot you know just just uh learning a lot about my mental game how to how to improve how to play well in in playing a lot of games in in in few days. So uh I’m very happy I could have represent my country.
What stands out about the development coaches here and the goalending coaches helping you out at this development camp? Uh I think that uh you know they they have a experience with NHL. So so giving me some some tips uh cuz of course college and NHL it’s it’s it’s a different different league. Uh so uh you know there’s going to definitely have to be some transition and just just uh hearing uh any any tips uh is good and I’m trying to be a sponge and trying to improve myself.
How often are you in contact with Carell Milka? Has he given you any tips or anything like that?
Uh he’s he’s from a different uh part of Czech Republic. So So I’ll be honest. I just talked with him once after uh after the draft. Since then we we didn’t talk much.
What’s it like just being back in Utah this time around Mammoth? You know, the whole branding around the team. Yeah, I mean it’s it’s great. It’s great to see see all the guys the staff again. Uh made made a lot of friends here. Uh Utah is beautiful. The nature here. So, uh, the elevation isn’t the best, but you know, it just takes a couple of days. Uh, but I hope one day this will be my home.
A 66 goalie. That is, uh, that is intriguing. Uh, Cole Bodwin also meeting with the media now. He’s a, uh, well, will he be a center or will he ultimately, uh, be a winger? U,, that’s another good question going forward. Here’s Cole with the media.
Hey Cole, Broen Houston here from the Desireette News. Um, welcome back to Utah. What do you think about this whole, you know, weekend that’s transpired and and uh, you know, Caleb Deno and all the other guys that that the team picked?
Yeah, super exciting. Um, obviously I was able to play with uh, Desi and he’s such a great guy and such a great player. So, super excited to have him and uh, as well as all the new guys. So, I’m excited to meet them and get to know them and see what they capable on the ice.
Good to see you, Cole. Uh, Cole Bagley with KSL Sports. Just curious, how has your game progressed over this last year and and what what kind of things did you uh work on?
Yeah, I think my game’s progressed uh really well just with uh my my foot speed and I think my skating’s gotten a lot better and I’ve put a lot of emphasis on that and just trying to get faster and uh maintain my strength, maintain my power in my skating and um been working on my shot as well along with my hands and getting them smoother and faster. So, um, I think with the time I’ve had leading up to this camp that I’ve done a really good job and just trying to maintain that and, uh, keep keep getting better each and every day.
Hey, Cole Bell Fraser from the Salt Lake Tribune. You had a really strong training camp. Kind of stuck around for a while. How did that change the way you went into this season, um, knowing, you know, what to expect this year. Yeah, I think just trying to learn every single day at camp uh uh last year and just trying to learn from the older guys and every single day like I kind of said before, trying to get better and um keep developing as a player and as a person and then kind of going back to Barry and bringing that to my team there. I thought I did a really good job uh being a leader there and um leading by example.
Uh hey Cole, Matt with uh KS or sorry, NHL.com. Hi. Um just with that experience of training camp last season, what are some of the things that you’re working on this summer to get ready for ne this upcoming training camp?
Yeah, I think it’s keep maintaining my uh my skating. I think it like I said before, it’s it’s come a long way and I’m really really happy with it. But uh like every player uh you’re just trying to get better each and every day and um I’m going to get better in every single aspect. Um, so yeah,
Bill mentioned at dev camp away from the ice they’re like teaching you guys about finances, how to be a young professional. How helpful is that part of these camps um as you know you hopefully make it to the league in a few years and that comes with more than your play.
Yeah, totally. Um, everyone sees kind of the off ice and the on ice stuff and um, but there’s so much other things that go along with this development camp that it’s nice to learn and nice to meet new people and new um, talks and uh, just people coming in presenting what they’re um, what they do and uh, yeah, it’s nice to learn different stuff.
This club has a new identity now as the mammoth. Just curious your thoughts on the transformation and and you know the logo and all that.
Oh, I love it. I love the logo. I love the colors. Um, really happy with it. So, um, yeah, I’m excited to put the jersey on.
You guys made a pretty good playoff push this year and you played some international hockey and everything. What have you learned from all that? Um, you know, highintensity hockey.
Yeah. Uh, with going kind of far with Barry, the farthest I’ve ever made in, uh, my OHL career so far. Uh, I loved it. Uh, the group we had there and Barry was super tight and just trying to obviously it was a tough way to end against Ashawa, but I learned a lot. I thought I my game progressed as a player. So really happy with it. How exciting is it to be uh one of the young prospects on a team that’s so young both in the league and then has this you know deep pool of yourself and Tee and and now Caleb.
Yeah, it’s super cool. Uh we have a kind of a bright future here in Utah and um just trying to learn and uh learn from everyone, learn from the staff, learn from um get to know the guys and uh I think we have a bright future here. All right, there’s Cole Bodwin. Now, Tian Gin now, he was the sixth pick in the draft last year and he’s had issues with his hips, so plenty of questions for him. Much longer media session with him. Here’s T with the media.
Welcome back to development camp. Katherine Bogart with Utah Digital. When you look at this past year, I know it was cut short for you, but what were your reflections from your season? And then also, how are you feeling? Yeah, obviously it uh wasn’t what I would have probably expected, you know, at 18 years old getting double hip surgery, but uh yeah, I think I think a lot of good will uh come from it. You know, I only played 20 games, so uh wasn’t like I said, like obviously wasn’t a normal season, but uh I think I think I found, you know, was just trying to keep finding ways different ways to get better. Uh you know, whether it’s the mental side of the game or just just lots of different things. So, uh, yeah, I mean, try to trust the process and just, uh, believe that it’ll all work out for the best.
Teach Fel Fraser from the Salt Lake Tribune, you mentioned your rehab. What’s the biggest thing you learned about yourself during it? Cuz like you said, it’s a tough situation for someone your age.
Yeah, I think I mean, I think there’s a certain aspect of resilience that that you have to have going going through that. And like I said, just uh keeping a a a good headsp space and and finding ways to to keep getting better cuz I think for for someone like me, you know, that’s what kind of keeps me sane going going through something like that. Just knowing that I’m not just sitting on the couch getting worse, you know what I mean? So, uh yeah, I think I think all in all, uh yeah, hopefully there’ll be be lots of good that comes from it.
Hey, teach Matt Como with NHL.com. just now with rehab going on, just what are what are your goals and what are your plans for the summer and what are you doing to just better yourself this summer?
Yeah, obviously, you know, I want to get back to uh I should be should be full full skating, full contact and everything soon here and probably about a month or so. So, I think just through the summer, you know, keep getting stronger, uh, more powerful, all that stuff from, uh, from a weight room side of things, and then, uh, keep keep honing my skills on the ice, and then, uh, just go to camp as as ready as I can and, uh, try to give myself the best chance that I can to make the team.
Broen Houston here from the Desert News. Um, I’m just wondering kind of what does the rehab process look like? Um, and like for hip surgery, does that if you’re getting them on both hips, does that mean you were in a wheelchair or like anything like that? like what what kind of mobility did you have?
Yeah, some people some people do them at the same time and they’ll go uh they’ll be in a wheelchair for a little bit. But uh with me, I went uh the right one and then uh gave it about six or seven weeks just to build up a decent amount of strength and stability in it to support the the left one. So did them six weeks apart. uh you know a lot of lot of slow boring stuff at the beginning for for those first few months but uh I mean compared to some other surgeries like knee and stuff it’s not uh it’s not too bad like is is all uh pretty smooth just I mean you know a lot of lot of boring uh days but uh yeah I mean at this point I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel so
Cole Bagley with KSL Sports I’m just curious what did you learn about yourself and your game uh during training camp you know last year being able to participate in some preseason games And how does that um help you continue to develop towards, you know, making an NHL roster?
Yeah, I think I I think it was great to to be a part of that camp and and I definitely learned a lot. I mean, for one thing, I learned that my hips were pretty messed up, but uh other than that, yeah, I think it was good to see uh see the level, see the guys, uh be around that. And then I mean that that stuff all helps me when especially when I was going through my rehab just trying to uh break down my game and and uh look at things that I can improve on and just kind of having that experience to know uh what it’s going to be like this year around when hopefully I can like I said give myself the best shot to make it.
Caleb Turner with ksl.com. Uh how does it feel to just be back in Utah? You have you got drafted as the first Utah draft pick ever last year but haven’t spent a ton of time here. How does it feel to just be back here?
Yeah, feels feels great. I mean, the the first time around last last year’s development camp is a bit of a bit of a whirlwind, you know, getting drafted and then you’re on the plane here. Uh showing up the next morning. So, uh this time it’s a little bit feels a little bit more normal, I guess, a little bit more uh relaxed, but yeah, super excited. Mountains still look as uh as good as they ever did.
Teach, just timeline wise for your hips, was the right one in December and then left in January, I guess, if it was six weeks later. Yeah, the right one was at the beginning of December and then left was uh near the end of January.
Got it. And then I know you were practicing to get better hockey wise, but a lot of free time on your hands. Were there any interests or hobbies you kind of picked up through recovery that helped you fill the time?
Yeah, there was uh like I was saying like trying to find different ways to get better. I uh one one of those was like I started doing this like VR stuff for uh just like hockey sense training and stuff like that. Uh, you know, I’d watch a ton of hockey, watch a ton of Utah and, uh, yeah, watch my brother and sister a lot, too, cuz watching, you know, see how their seasons were going. And, uh, actually, we went to I’m live living in Colona, and that’s where where I play my junior. But, uh, we went to Edmonton for a little bit because that’s where my brother plays and we got a lot of family there. So, uh, it was just kind of nice to break up the rehab a little bit with, uh, uh, a change of scenery. So, uh, yeah, just I mean obviously being around families is good to to go through that as well.
We talked with Bill about this, but part of this development camp is building a brotherhood with the prospects and teaching that culture that’s at the most senior level of this organization all the way through. What’s the brotherhood you’re experiencing right now with Utah and how are you seeing it grow within your prospect pool?
Yeah, it’s awesome. I think uh last year, you know, was it was my first time meeting a lot of these guys, but but coming back this year, a lot of familiar faces and uh yeah, it’s it’s great. I mean, they we the organization puts together a really well-run development camp, you know, good team builders and things like that. So, uh as much as it’s about, you know, showing yourself on the ice and and getting better, it’s like like you said, also about that uh brotherhood and just kind of having fun together.
We just chatted with Caleb Denoier. just curious if you know much about his game and what excites you about, you know, being on a team together now.
Yeah. Yeah, I played with him at uh U8’s there uh last year. So, uh yeah, I know a little bit about his game and uh know him as well. And yeah, he’s a he’s a great guy. He’s a funny guy. So, uh I was super excited to see that we’re taking him at at four there and yeah, just looking forward to to the week with him as well.
I’m just curious what you think about the NCAA rule change and would that be something that you’d ever consider um going to? I know you don’t want to leave the Okonogan. That’s the best place to be. But aside from Utah, obviously, but Yeah. Well, obviously, uh it’s definitely definitely interesting. I mean, I I actually can’t cuz once you’re signed, you can’t uh go to the NCAA at that point. So, uh it’s a decision definitely for the guys that that aren’t signed. But, uh, yeah, it’s definitely interesting to see, uh, what what the league is going to look like next year and, uh, all the changes that that are going to be happening and, uh, what people are going to start to think of is the best kind of route to to the NHL. So, uh, yeah, I mean, still early in terms of all that stuff, but we’ll be interesting to see how it shakes out. All right, Utah Hockey Club camp continues. We’re going to continue in a moment. Stay with us. Steve Cleveland talking hoops next. Stay with us. DJPK. It’s 975 the zone. We are joined now by Steve Cleveland. Coach, good morning.
Good morning, fellas. The Jazz are introducing new guys. The Jazz are trading guys away. What was the most intriguing part of the last uh 72 hours as the Jazz were uh making news? What intrigued you? Well, I I mean, first of all, I I love the Ace Bailey pick. uh I didn’t really appreciate all the nonsense around him and his agent and those kinds of things, but I do really believe that he can have an impact and and uh I think just listening to him and not listening to all the folks that are around him, I felt really positive about how appreciative he was and excited about being with the Jazz. Um you know, he’s he’s obviously a talent and I think there’s a place for him with the Jazz. So that would be my most immediate thing. I I think that uh you know I think he has a future there uh and despite some of the other things that happened prior to but you know I know that he was interviewed by a lot of teams and went through the combine and and uh uh so I’m excited about him and uh what he can bring to the Jazz and maybe what his potential is and opportunity. I think summer league will start here soon so I’m hopeful that I can get down and watch him play. I’m thinking that uh with all these young guys now and the trade of sex and signals that Austin is going to go heavily with the youth and they’re going to play to win and you know they’ll probably have their struggles cuz young guys it’s hard to uh win with in this league when you’re playing against grown men who’ve been doing it for many many years. We all understand that. But I’m wondering with all these young guys from Will Hardy’s perspective, it’s going to be like you maybe in junior college because it seemed like junior college rosters can often change drastically from season to season and now we’re even seeing it in uh in you know regular four years. How do you get everybody when they start when they get back together in uh September? There’s going to be so much newness and playing time is going to be available for whoever grabs it. I’m just wondering what’s going to be the perspective from the coach. You know, I think that one of the things that came to my mind when you just mentioned that was the the really upset about that is how much energy and enthusiasm about coming back to camp and coming back to, you know, playing. And I I remember as a coach in in junior college as well as in at a four-year level that uh when we were away, everybody was together. there was a bond and a unity and just a a feeling of, man, we’re excited to get going and get see what the potential of this team is. And that’s kind of how I am with uh uh w with with this draft. And and I think that,
you know, I I’m I’m kind of excited about Walton Clayton Jr.
Yeah. You know, not maybe as much as Ace Bailey, but I’m telling you what, I like him being on my team. And uh so that you know the draft’s a little bit light on point guards, but man that guy makes plays and uh I I you know it’s interesting as an 18th pick that some of the folks are talking about him being a first team projection as an allNBA rookie first team. And I don’t even know where he’ll fit with the Jazz and if he’ll play that much to earn a uh a significant award like that. But uh that those are the things that kind of get me excited and uh I I think obviously with Keanti there and Colin Saxton and Jordan Clarkson and Z now did you tell me I I may have missed that is Colin Saxon is he being traded? Yes, he’s going to Charlotte and for a second round pick and you Nerkage and it’s basically to me and I think to to every one of us it signals that the Jazz the rebuild now is going to go young and the guys that they drafted this year and with so you got Walker Keser is a four-year you got George and Taylor Henrix uh and Sensible will go into the third year then you got last year’s three guys and then the three guys this year.
Yeah. Yeah. But that gives him some depth and uh it’ll be it’ll be fun to see kind of how that whole thing plays out. Good. Good. Good for Colin Saxton. I I hope he goes and plays and has an opportunity to play u and get significant minutes. I always like watching him play and and just just kind of entire attitude about just competing at a really high level. You know, Steve, I think you talked for a lot of people. you spoke for a lot of Jazz fans when you said you didn’t really like all the stuff around Ace Bailey and that stuff started long before the Jazz drafted him, you know, when once he told Philly he wasn’t going to go work out for them, right? And then Charlotte gets the same message, right? And then Utah and then once he’s drafted the 24 hours of is he going to go to Utah or not, but without uh his manager, not his agent, but his manager. Need to dive into all of that. But without his manager doing all of that, the Jets probably don’t get him. I mean, if he works out, does he slide to five? I don’t think so. And apparently you don’t either. So, yeah, that all sucked, but that just might be the price of doing business and getting him.
Yeah. No, I’m I’m I’m excited about what he’s doing. And and and you know, you’re talking about him and Clayton Jr. And I don’t know a lot about uh this kid from Wisconsin, John Ton, but he’s older. But I do remember I do remember him in the NC2A. I think he had like 37 against BYU. Yeah, he lit it up. He was their guy.
So,
yeah, he was their guy. So, you know, he’s a second round guy that I I don’t know what their plans are for him, but man, I just think it was a great draft.
He played four years at Colorado State and Scotty told Scotty Gerard told me this on the phone and then he had to say it. It’s like Scotty just has to get this out, right? It was like a therapy session. I’m sitting next to him at the press conference and he goes and and and TJ’s given a a really mature, poised answer. He’s 24, right? He’s given a good answer. He’s like, he was just a guy. He was just a guy. This is amazing. And he transferred to Missouri and then he transferred to Wisconsin. But it it seems like the three that what Austin here is prioritizing, he got asked about this in a press conference, is like what these three have in common is their ability to score, their ability to make shots, and uh and you know, something along the lines of is that the priorities that would attract you? And Austin just kind of looks at him and he has that half smile, half smirk thing going that you’ve probably seen a million times. He’s like, “Well, that’s pretty important. It’s what they give you points for.” So that
you cannot have enough shooters. And uh they got, you know, even even though Toni’s a little bit older, but but Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton, he that you can’t have enough shooters. You just can’t. And you never know what circumstances happen and guys develop quicker than others. There’s injuries and all of a sudden you look down that bench and go, I’m going to give this guy a shot. and and to have guys that you can pick from means a lot and and obviously they’re loaded with guards, but uh it’ll be fun to watch the competition and uh and to see where how this plays out, but the Jazz have gotten better.
Some of this Ace Bailey stuff, you know, you can look at social media and take it for what it’s worth, which I don’t know that it’s really worth a lot, but nevertheless, when it was about him, oh, is he going to report? Is he not going to report? and you know the the national networks and all they need something to talk about and we need something to talk about. So we created this scenario, oh maybe he’s not going to come here. He doesn’t like Utah as if an 18-year-old would have any idea what Utah’s about. But I’m wondering, you’re a guy who grew up in California and then lived three years in Indiana as a mission president. How much do you think that reputation of Utah is still not necessarily accurate but still exists? I’d like to think that it’s been debunked and you can come here no matter who you are and have a fine time.
Yeah, I I I I completely agree with you. I think that’s been diminished. I mean, um, we we live in a in a world where there we we can you put glasses on and you look at the world of sport and you see whether it’s in Europe or Australia or where it is in the United States and I think it’s we’re way beyond that. I think now I I think just we’re we’re exposed to so much through television and through computers uh that we it’s it’s it’s not difficult to find out who people are, what they’re about and moving forward. And I think those days are gone. I I think that uh I love the idea that I can pick my phone up and learn more about John Tons or I can learn more about Ace Bailey or I can learn about a new coaching staff. Uh, I think those things are all good for the sport and and it’s just drive it’s an engine that’s just driving and driving and driving the the league and and this sport in ways that has never been exposed around the world. I think the Jazz are doing the right thing and this just, you know, Red Arbach was just way in front of his time at the whole Celtic family thing decades ago. But the Jazz are employing people. They’re bringing Carlos Boozer back in the fold. He was at the press conference and he’s been active along the way here and uh Quincy Lewis is there working with uh former players and Derek Favors was on social media saying you know people should just he said he was from Atlanta and he said the part of Atlanta he was from within if you know you know and he said and basically he didn’t know anything about going to Utah and then but you got to give it a chance and it was gold. It was gold. That was the last thing. And so the more that they keep these former players involved with like this was what my experience was in Utah, I think the more people hear that. How much did you use alumni wherever you were to get out the message about whichever school you were at?
Well, I tell you what, I don’t know that there’s anything that is more impactful. Yeah. when you’re on recruiting visits and you bring former players and uh it it’s one of those things that it just it’s like gold because they you know here’s a peer that’s not much older than them or even if they are much older than them they they share stories and I think the stories are something that you know a young person can absorb and go wow that’s cool and you know moving forward and just sharing those experiences and I can tell you that even in junior college even in high school you when there wasn’t a lot of recruiting going on in at least in my neck of the woods. But to get bring former players in that had won championships that had gone through the process and they could sit there and talk to a player or in junior college or at the four-year level was really really meaningful. And uh it give you it just there’s a lot of credibility that comes from former players that share things with guys that are on recruiting visits and they know no matter what the sport is and there’s just a level of trust that just develops and uh you just feel good about your experience and and it’s hard making choices when I look at these young people and you know it’s a matter I don’t know if it’s going to be North Carolina or it’s going to be Duke or it’s going to be whom it’s it’s tough the recruiting business is tough and everybody has a presentation, but I think the things that really matter when a young man or a young woman go on a campus, they feel comfortable around certain people that may have nothing to do with basketball, nothing to do with basketball. And so, yes, those things are really really clear and I I’m I’m really happy to hear about former players getting involved and and and you think about this, you know, whether it’s in practice settings or it’s in other informal settings, I I know that just in my in my life uh as a division one coach, I mean, I remember experiences with Paul George where we were bringing young guys on and he had left and he’d come back, you know, I mean, it was a pretty easy sale when your head, you know, people like Boozer or Quincy Lewis or Derek Favors or whomever it might be, that means a lot and it develops a trust and and uh guys feel more young ladies might feel more comfortable knowing, man, I want to be a part of this. These are good people. Obviously, the ret situation has been in the news. I’m wondering from your experience, what do you hear as a coach when there’s something like this? Because this is not good all the way around. And I’m wondering if you end up hearing from church leadership also to make sure that these things don’t happen. I don’t know that you can ever prevent them, but I’m just wondering what the process is when something’s so public like this and BYU is so closely um attached to the Latterday Saint church that if if the coach hears about it and has to bear a certain level of responsibility. Well, I I I first of all, I’ve had some experiences with that. I don’t think I need to go into details, but I went through uh a time when I first went to BYU and u and had to to deal with with that BYU honor card. And I I will tell you this here, we this was 1998. Now, today, you know, we’re in 2025 and uh you know, the honor code includes some very specific things about behavior and honesty and being chased and standing from alcohol and all all the different things that come with it. I think most people are familiar with that. Uh I I think just watching from afar I think that process has is much much better. I I went through it with a young man. It was the process was just challenging. And uh and I I worked through it myself. I had to work through it. But what I see now is yes, there’s so much transparency with this and it’s it’s difficult on players or families and it it can be really challenging. But then at the end of the day, uh there is either an ecclesiastical leader or a university chaplain or LDS bishop and and I think that the experiences I’ve had and the things that I know about that is that it’s done in a very appropriate way, you know, and when Jake Ratiff is so trans, you know, you’re it’s out there and front page news and all deals are t taking place. It’s that’s a tough thing to deal with. And uh and I, you know, I’m not here to judge anyone. Uh people make mistakes and sometimes there are consequences when there is an honor code. But I will I would wish Jake Ratzle a whole lot of love to hope he can get things turned around. I hope he finds a program he can get into. Uh it it it’s just I can’t even imagine how difficult that’s been where it’s be become so public where there were a lot of halftruths and a lot of non-truths and a lot of things involved and and you know you just got to have to live through it. But I know it looked like he was going to maybe have a seven game suspension. I understand why he would leave and I I hope that he can get them things turned around and and and play the sport that he loves. But I it it is a hard thing for coaches, for family members. And you know, we look at this with, you know, you you read and you see things like this and I think people need to be a little more sensitive to let let’s not be so condemning and let’s not be so quick to judge. Yes, mistakes were made. It’s understandable. BYU has an honor code. I respect that. But I I there’s another side to this that we just got we just got to be kind just supportive of people. It’s real easy to point fingers. I hate that people go through my life and all the mistakes I’ve made. So hope Date gets on his feet and gets through this thing and gets on with it. I’m sorry about all the things that have happened, but uh it’s time to move on. Steve, we’ll leave it right there for now. Thanks for joining us and we will talk to you again next week. You can watch the uh summer league. It’ll start up uh Saturday night and uh we’ll get your take on that when we talk to you next week.
Hey, tell me so summer league Saturday. Is that Salt Lake or was it somewhere else?
Salt.
It’s Salt Lake Saturday, Monday, Tuesday upman Center. Okay.
And then they go to Las Vegas after that.
All right. Thanks, guys. There’s Steve Cleveland. When we come back, what is trending? The headlines are

Hour one of DJ & PK for July 1, 2025:

• Isaiah Collier and Cody Williams, Utah Jazz

• Media sessions from Utah Mammoth prospects camp

• Steve Cleveland, Former BYU Basketball Coach