Former Zag star Jalen Suggs talks Few, Lloyd and a 2026 season that’s put him to the test: ‘I’ve learned a lot’
DALLAS – Jalen Suggs and the Orlando Magic are targeted on enhancing their standing with the begin of the NBA playoffs arriving subsequent week.
Still, the former Gonzaga guard graciously took a jiffy prior to a latest recreation towards the Dallas Mavericks to focus on a number of subjects – from his former GU coaches Mark Few and Tommy Lloyd, to his NCAA buzzer-beater towards UCLA, to the Magic’s prospects this postseason.
On Mark Few
Suggs praised Few’s latest choice to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In Suggs’ lone season at GU, the Zags misplaced the 2021 NCAA championship recreation to Baylor.
“Well-deserving, not only for his accomplishments and wins obviously,” Suggs stated, “… however I believe for the tradition that he is constructed at Gonzaga University, the neighborhood that he is helped construct over there, how he retains the gamers and those that reside and name Spokane residence linked.
“That’s part of why everybody loves it up there and part of why everybody goes back, because there’s a lot of love and (they) treat us like home in that city. The wins speak for themselves, the accomplishments, the championships, but I think that’s his biggest and most lasting legacy and impact, is what he’s done for the city of Spokane and that community.”
On Tommy Lloyd
Lloyd, the former GU assistant who took over at Arizona in April 2021, instantly impressed Suggs when the guard arrived at GU. Suggs stated Arizona’s Final Four end in 2026 confirmed off Lloyd’s abilities each on the bench and as a expertise evaluator.
“No surprise. Tommy’s so elite and such a good basketball mind, he does such a great job in really tapping into that European pipeline and bringing in good talent from over there,” Suggs stated. “The proven fact that he is doing it in Arizona isn’t a surprise to me. I’m very comfortable for his success.
“Happy to see him (make) a deep tournament run. He’s had some really good teams the last few years. Tournament time is just unpredictable and in his case it’s been a bit unfortunate (until this year). Really just happy for them to be winning. I love everything about Tommy. My sister … she will be at that school next year. We’re always in contact and will be in contact. I’m glad to see his success.”
On his shot towards UCLA
Suggs spent only one season at GU, however the Minnesota native left a big mark. A primary-team All-West Coast Conference choice, his buzzer-beating 3-pointer towards UCLA in the Final Four that despatched GU into the nationwide title recreation might be endlessly remembered in Zag lore.
That well-known 40-foot, banked-in trey lifted GU to a 93-90 win and is commonly talked about amongst the most memorable game-winning pictures in NCAA Tournament historical past. CBS Sports not too long ago ranked it in its high 10.
“I’ll take any top 10 to be honest,” he stated. “The tournament’s been around a long time and the fact that I have a moment that is not only identified by our Gonzaga community but by college basketball lovers in general is really cool. It’s something in my game that I’d always pictured and that means that I’ve played in my mind and discussed around the game. The fact that I have a true moment like that to look back on is a good legacy. Fun time of year.”
On attainable NBA enlargement to Seattle
Considering his ties to Washington state, Suggs additionally could not resist weighing in on the risk of the Sonics returning to Seattle.
“Yeah, I think it’s really cool, I think well deserved. The city of Seattle, you see what they do up there for their other sports. They really buy in and will love their new franchise, which they’ve waited so long to get,” Suggs stated. “I think it will be really dope. I’ve never got to experience an expansion draft or expansion in the league, so being able to go through that and see how it will help the league evolve in a good way, I’m excited for that.”
On the Magic season this
Suggs’ greatest season got here in 2023-24 when he earned a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive group. He averaged 14.7 factors, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
Since then, he is struggled by way of accidents. Last yr, Suggs was restricted to 35 video games after a season-ending surgical procedure on his left knee. This season, he is performed 55 video games – averaging 13.7 factors and 5.5 assists – whereas coping with a number of accidents, together with a proper knee damage and a left hip contusion.
Now he is hopeful that each he and the Magic have turned a nook. Suggs has solely missed two video games over the previous 23.
Entering Thursday, his Magic (44-36) had received 4 straight and sat in seventh place in the Eastern Conference – a half-game behind Toronto with two video games to play. Finishing in the high six would permit the Magic to keep away from the play-in match, which takes place April 14-17. The playoffs start on April 18.
“(This season) has been unique, for sure. We’ve been trying to continue to find our way as a unit. Individually, that’s part of being professionals, is handling your business day in and day out and staying focused towards a goal,” he stated.
“That’s the place a lot of my psychological focus has been this yr, been making an attempt to clear up my very own (damage) issues, making an attempt to proceed to keep along with my ebbs and flows, stops in play and get some consistency on the market on the court docket. We’re prepared… for playoff basketball. It hasn’t been simple by any means, however the better part is I’ve learned a lot once more by way of various things, whether or not it’s accidents, time on the ground, completely different lineups, adversities, it has actually taught me a lot this yr. I look ahead to carrying all of it into the offseason and having the ability to course of it when issues decelerate and you are in a little bit of a clear thoughts area.”
On fellow Zag Corey Kispert
Suggs was thrilled to see former GU teammate Corey Kispert get traded from the Washington Wizards to the Atlanta Hawks in January. As of Thursday, the Hawks (45-35) are in fifth place in the East with two video games remaining. Kispert will get his first style of the NBA postseason for Atlanta, which has secured no less than a place in the play-in tourney.
“I was happy for Corey. He came up to me when he got to Atlanta and got to see him a couple times. He’s just such a winner, man, a smart basketball player,” Suggs stated.
“Sometimes you just need a change of scenery and that’s part of the business. It’s different and unique, especially when you’re at a program for four years. You’re at the same school, the same high school and the same team since you came into the league. We’ve had good conversations. We just talked the other day. He’s doing well.”
Stephen Hunt is a freelance author primarily based in Frisco, Texas.
