Will Hardy Identifies Areas Of Improvement For Jazz Youth
Apr 14, 2025, 4:27 PM
Isaiah Collier #13 and head coach Will Hardy (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy identified the key areas of improvement needed for the team’s first and second-year players this offseason.
The Jazz wrapped up the 2024-25 season with a 17-65 record, the worst in the NBA, and while much focus will be on their top five selection in the draft, internal development will also be paramount.
Related: Jazz Lock Up Top Five Draft Pick With NBA’s Worst Record
Will Hardy On Where Jazz Youth Can Develop
During his end-of-season media availability, Hardy addressed specific areas of need for each of the Jazz’s six first and second-year players.
While the young players showed notable gains on and off the floor, their abilities to take the next step in their careers will be critical in the Jazz’s development as they exit the rebuilding process.
Here is where each player needs to improve, according to Hardy.
Cody Williams: Body and Shooting
Cody Williams, the Jazz 10th overall pick in the first round last season, had arguably the worst year of any player on the team’s roster.
“It’s about his body and his physical strength,” Hardy said. “We also have to do some things to refine his shooting.”
Due to his illness, we weren’t able to talk to Cody Williams to end the season.
But Will Hardy identified Cody’s body as the biggest area of focus over the summer.
Williams weighed 178 lbs at the combine, and I’d be surprised if he got much heavier in season.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 14, 2025
Physically, the 20-year-old was overwhelmed by the size and strength of the NBA, and never caught up to the game after a slow start to the season.
But even in moments where physicality wasn’t a major factor, his performance was lacking, specifically as a shooter.
Williams shot just 32 percent from the floor and 26 percent from three in his rookie season, and will have to make significant improvements on the offensive end in order to see the floor.
Isaiah Collier: Conditioning and Shooting
Despite slipping to the 29th pick on draft night, Isaiah Collier had a strong first season for the Jazz and is in contention to be named to the All-Rookie team.
“Conditioning has to become a superpower, and then we have to continue to refine his shooting,” Hardy said, “especially the kind of sit-behind-three-off-the-bounce when people try to go under in big and roll.”
NASTY handles from Isaiah Collier 🪄 pic.twitter.com/iC4yEO2GsF
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 15, 2025
Collier’s raw speed is his best offensive tool, but as Russell Westbrook has proven throughout his career, it can be game-altering when combined with an elite motor.
But, until the guard proves his shooting can punish teams who nullify his speed by sagging off of him, he won’t be able to fully unlock his vast potential.
Collier shot a promising 49 percent on two-point shots this year, but just 25 percent from three.
Kyle Filipowski: Defense and Shooting
Filipowksi had arguably the best season of any first-year Jazz player, and like Collier, is in contention to earn a spot on the NBA All-Rookie team.
The Duke product’s offensive versatility was readily apparent as soon as he began to earn regular minutes, but he has room to grow on defense.
“Flip has got to become more solid on the defensive end,” Hardy said. “He has to be earlier on the defensive end. I think the Flip is used to making plays over the top over the course of his life, and I think at this level we just need him to be a little bit earlier defensively. And then, as it relates to his shooting, he has seen some success, and now we have to tighten those things and make it his habit.”
getting things started with a quick flip 🍳 pic.twitter.com/tB21CX5enL
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 13, 2025
Filipowski has quick feet and can stay with smaller players on defense, but no longer has the size advantage that allowed him to get away with poor technique at lower levels.
The rookie’s three-point shooting translated more quickly from college to the NBA level than was expected, knocking down a very healthy 35 percent of his 3.1 attempts per game.
Keyonte George: Defense and Shooting Discipline
Keyonte George had the most polarizing season among any player on the Jazz roster, young or old.
On one hand, George saw improvement in his scoring, rebounding, and assist averages. On the other hand, his poor defense and inefficient shooting were nearly identical to his first year in the NBA.
“His defense can be improved in a variety of ways, some of it is the mental aspect, but there also is an element of his conditioning in his physical strength,” Hardy said. “On the offensive side, his shooting discipline needs to improve.”
sheeeesh, key pic.twitter.com/nONqxKrkb8
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 13, 2025
George offered glimpses of playmaking on the defensive end, but more often than not he was a target for easy baskets by opposing offenses.
The guard showed a knack for finishing with his left hand at the rim, but his 45 percent success rate on two-point shots drowns out his 34 percent three-point success rate.
Taylor Hendricks: Health
Taylor Hendricks’ season-ending injury just three games into the season was a major setback for the Jazz’s rebuild, and a difficult hurdle for the team to clear after selecting the forward with the ninth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
“Taylor, we’ve got to get healthy,” Hardy said. “That’s the only focus.”
Justin Zanik confirms Taylor Hendricks won’t be available for Summer League, but hopes to be fully cleared to retake the court and be ready for training camp. #TakeNote
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 14, 2025
While Hendricks lost a season of on-court development, he spent much of the season in the weight room, where he’s made noticeable gains to his body.
As a rookie, Hendricks played most of the season at just 215 pounds, but has added 30 pounds to his frame, and plans to enter next year at around 235 pounds.
Brice Sensabaugh: Body
Unlike Cody Williams, who needs to add weight, Brice Sensabaugh’s biggest need is to sculpt his body.
Sensabaugh’s breakout was one of the more underrated storylines of the Jazz season, but the guard has show potential to be a key piece in the team’s rebuild.
“Brice has to make his body his number one priority,” Hardy said. “I think Brice has shown everybody that he has a definable, tangible NBA skill. When he shoots, it goes in.”
that makes ✨9✨ for @bricepsensa pic.twitter.com/szltKF3gTE
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 13, 2025
Sensabaugh shot a team-leading 42 percent from three on over five attempts per game this season, numbers that jumped to 47 percent on nearly seven attempts per game after the All-Star break.
“His body is going to help him navigate all the other areas,” Hardy added. “Everything from changing the floor to becoming more solid defensively, if he can do those things, it allows his skill to really shine.”
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
