Takeaways from Utah Jazz media day: Peterson, JJJ, and more
Sep 28, 2026, 8:32 PM | Updated: 8:39 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - SEPTEMBER 28: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz speaks during the Utah Jazz media day at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on September 28, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — The NBA took center stage on Monday as 28 teams held media day across the country.
In Utah, president of basketball operations Austin Ainge took the podium first, followed by head coach Will Hardy and a steady stream of Jazz players.
There are a lot of storylines and quotes to get through, so let’s start with my overarching, top-of-mind takeaways.
▪️Isaiah Collier had an “uncomfortable” summer
▪️Mo Bamba has a new hobby
▪️Josh Green has played with some Jazz fan favoritesHere are some of the odds and ends you might have missed at today’s @utahjazz media day! #takenote https://t.co/JLPNUSdWtI
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 29, 2026
Brice Sensabaugh Set For Breakout?
Fourth-year wing Brice Sensabaugh didn’t take the stage until about four hours into the day, but he became a topic of conversation much sooner than that.
In his opening remarks, Ainge said that Sensabaugh “has had a great summer.” About thirty minutes prior, in an interview on the KSL Sports Zone, Ainge said, “(Brice Sensabaugh’s) body looks great, and I don’t think he’s missed a shot in about a month and a half.”
Once his time came at around noon, Sensabaugh shared a similar sentiment.
This summer has been a big step for me. It’s the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life. Honestly, I feel like I’m two times better. I’m excited to see how it plays out against other teams. It’s been an exciting summer for me, I’ve worked on everything. My shooting and my defense being the two focal points. It’s been a big summer. I’ve been locked in on my body and mind, and my game is following.
The Jazz roster is loaded with sharpshooters. Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Svi Mykhailiuk, Darryn Peterson; the list goes on. After hearing Ainge’s earlier comment, I asked Brice about a hypothetical Jazz three-point contest.
I’m going to take myself, for sure. That’s pretty flattering that (Austin Ainge) said that. I think it’s just a testament to the work I’ve put in. I’ve been putting countless hours on my jumpshot. I think that will be an undeniable attribute for this team.
Brice Sensabaugh had one of the best interviews at Utah Jazz media day today.
Excited to see Brice in year four. https://t.co/ayTO0pqYzJ pic.twitter.com/RwthZg87VS
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 28, 2026
Last season, Sensabaugh averaged a career-high 14.9 points on 46 percent from the floor. His three-point mark dipped from 42.2 percent to 36.7 percent, though.
If a breakout campaign is on the horizon for the Florida-native, Utah could find itself with an embarrassment of perimeter scoring riches.
The nice thing, for both Sensabaugh and the Jazz, is the team doesn’t need a jump comparable to what George did on last year’s team. If Sensabaugh can pull his three-point percentage back up and progress defensively, there is a very solid chance he will climb the ranks in a deep wing rotation.
Relationship Foundations
The Jazz have turned a corner and are now looking to compete for the postseason in a deep Western Conference. With that shift comes a handful of new faces in Utah. Most notably, former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 draft, Darryn Peterson.
Over the last year and a half or so, Keyonte George has bought into the organization on a level that is rare to see. Not just for the franchise individually, but in the league as a whole. George has shown up to everything with the Jazz name attached. This has included an effort to build more meaningful relationships with everyone on the roster.
Key touched on that, specifically his relationship with the rookie.
(Darryn Peterson and I) sit next to each other in the locker room. We hang out with each other off of the court. I go to his house, he comes to my house. I mean, that’s my dog. Since he got here, (I’ve felt) like I’ve known him for multiple years. We have different conversations, whether that be (about stuff) on the court (or) off the court. Everybody, we be laughing and joking, he’s fit in right away. It’s felt like he’s been on the team since my rookie year. I don’t want to say he’s a good kid, because I’m a kid too. He’s great to be around. It’s going to be fun to start this journey with him.
Jackson Jr. took over the mic shortly after George, and talked over his point of view.
We started building (our relationship) the moment I was traded. Me and (Keyonte) have been here pretty much the whole time it feels like. On the track, in the gym, or in the crib. I think it goes a long way and it’s something we can lean on and build on going forward.
The Jazz recently bet on George, signing him to a five-year contract extension that will keep him in the building through the 2031-32 NBA season.
For a group that lacks time on the court together, these relationships can go a long way to smoothing the transition once the ball tips on October 21.
RELATED: Is Keyonte George’s massive extension smart for the Utah Jazz?
Veteran Impact Off The Floor
The average age of the 14 players on standard-contract deals with the Jazz is 25 years. As one of the younger teams in the association, select players in Utah’s locker room will need to step up as leaders.
In previous seasons, players like Kevin Love and Kris Dunn have provided that solid veteran presence that every locker room needs. It will look a bit different in the 2026-27 season, as Jusuf Nurkic (32) and Lauri Markkanen (29) are the two oldest players on the roster.
Markkanen has leaned more toward being a lead-by-example type of person. He said it plainly himself on Monday that he isn’t a demanding person, admitting, “that’s just not my personality.”
But he was asked about what being a leader will look like to him this season, and he said he has gotten more comfortable being vocal.
Showing up early, working hard, being open-minded, and doing all of the right things as a professional. I’ve gotten more and more comfortable being vocal. I think for me it’s just more pulling guys aside and having those conversations. I’m trying to help the young guys as much as I can, going through what I’ve experienced and stuff like that. I think I’ve gotten better as a leader, but I’m not going to change my personality. I’m going to lead by example and then whenever it’s time to speak up, I feel more comfortable with it.
It can’t, and won’t, be just Lauri, though.
Other players touched on their piece of the leadership pie, even those with a lesser role and those brand new to the organization.
Bench center Mo Bamba talked about what he has learned in his eight years in the NBA, and how he can help guide this young team.
(I can bring) just a little bit of knowledge. I was fortunate enough to around a lot of great coaches in the NBA. One thing I really want to do here is just be a big communicator. There’s a lot of young guys who are still trying to earn a name for themselves, and based off the stuff that I did well or that I struggled with, I just want to give them that and pay it forward.
Recently acquired wing Josh Green also spoke on his ability to help the younger players on the team.
I think I’m someone good to be able to talk to and learn lessons (from). Throughout my career, I’ve been through a lot of different situations and it’s definitely been able to help me grow, especially over the last few years. I definitely hope I’m able to be there and be somebody to lean on. I’m a quieter guy but, at the same time, I demonstrate a lot by what I do on the court and how I act. Just working as hard as I can and trying to help the young guys as much as I can.
Leadership will be a strength-in-numbers fight for the Jazz this season, and it looks like there are many people willing to carry their part.
Stronger & Healthier
Putting on weight was a major point of emphasis for Ace Bailey following the conclusion of his rookie season. On top of adding 10-12 pounds, the second-year wing also believes he might have gotten a little bit taller.
Bailey was transparent about how the extra weight already feels different on the court, but he added that he is “100 percent healthy” after dealing with back spasms in the Salt Lake City and Vegas Summer Leagues.
Kyle Filipowski is another Jazz player who was dealing with an injury. After getting surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, Flip said he was ready for training camp and felt much better than he did at any point last season.
Ace says he’s put on 10-12 pounds and also thinks he did get taller.#TakeNote | @kslsports https://t.co/Yojc0mtxFQ
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 28, 2026
No. 2 Pick Hype
By far, the most noticeable theme from Utah’s media day was the hype and intrigue around Peterson. Everything from his demeanor to his work ethic and how he has fit in after arriving in June.
Of the 15 people to speak on Monday, at least 12 were asked a question about the second overall pick.
Starting at the top of the organization, Ainge explained that DP has been as advertised to this point, and that the front office is excited to see him in action.
(Darryn Peterson has been) as advertised. We’re really excited about him. He has brought an intensity and a work ethic and a maturity that is unique. The NBA is hard on rookies. He’s going to have some ups and downs this year, but we believe in his character and his approach and think he will handle all the ups and downs and figure it out.
One of the more standout Peterson breakdowns came from Bamba, as he compared the rookie to a two-time NBA Finals MVP and one of the best two-way players this century.
I see a hunger and a willingness to learn in him. I think he’s due for a really good year just based off how much he wants to learn. He picks things up really fast and it doesn’t feel like he is a 19-year-old. I remember pulling him to the side after one of our workouts and I just told him, ‘We know your value offensively, but if you’re able to string together a really good defensive mindset and defensive instincts, you could easily be one of the best two-way (players) in this game.’
I see a lot of Kawhi (Leonard) in him. I was talking to (Jusuf Nurkic) and he said he sees a lot of (Damian Lillard). Darryn has a lot to prove and a long way to get to the point where he can truly be mentioned with those two names. But (his) maturity is really the most eye-opening thing. He’s one of those dudes that you just want to watch them work. You just want to help and be a part of his journey.
Peterson was the last to sit on the stage, and the conversation ironically shifted mostly away from him as an individual.
He touched on his teammates challenging and mentoring him, building chemistry, and how his goals are centered around team success.
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First Box Checked
Now that media day is in the rearview mirror, the team will get right to work with training camp opening tomorrow.
In less than a weeks time, Jazz basketball will be back on the hardwood as they travel across the Rockies to take on the Denver Nuggets at the University of Colorado Boulder campus on Sunday, October 4.
After an open practice and three more preseason matches, Utah will open its 2026-27 campaign on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, October 21.
