Tommy Lloyd came into his pre-Red-Blue media session with plenty to unpack, and the Arizona coach touched just about every corner of his roster, from returning names to new faces to the significance of the weekend itself.
The biggest takeaway on Bryce James was straightforward: Lloyd likes the direction he’s heading. He said he was “really happy with the progress Bryce has been making,” pointing to James’ overseas play as an important early step.
Lloyd described that stretch as a first real chance to compete at that level, and he said it has given James a springboard to keep building confidence. The coach said the early goal for James is becoming “a solid, contributing role player,” adding, “If you're a solid, contributing role player at Arizona you're a heck of a basketball player.”
Lloyd also said James has practiced well over the last couple of days and should keep making progress as the season goes on.
Lloyd had a similarly upbeat read on the new backcourt. He called JJ and Derek “just good basketball players” and said he has felt comfortable with both of them all offseason.
JJ is only now getting fully versed in practice after being limited before, while Derek has “been a warrior,” taking on a heavy summer and fall workload. Lloyd said both players have quickly absorbed what Arizona values and what the team wants its identity to be.
He said they’ve learned it “effortlessly,” and believes both will play real roles this season.
Red-Blue weekend, though, clearly means more than just another fall event. Lloyd called it a staple in Tucson and around the University of Arizona, and said it serves as a kickoff to the season.
But he stressed that the centerpiece is honoring the 1997 team. Lloyd said that team’s impact still comes up constantly, and that it is an honor to bring those players back and recognize what they did for the school and community.
He said the main objective is to pay respect and show gratitude, adding, “We're still benefiting from it today.”
He also looked back on the Lithuania trip, calling it “a heavy lift.” Lloyd said the team went through a short but intense preparation period before facing real competition, and that the experience hit them hard in a useful way.
He said there were a lot of positives, but also a need to refresh once they returned. Lloyd explained that he wanted coaches and players to reset, and said stepping back a bit gave everyone space.
He noted that when he’s not on the court every day, it can be good for both the players and the staff. He spent part of that stretch preparing for the fall rather than staying on the floor constantly.
That trip also shaped how he views this team. Lloyd said, “I think we have a chance to be pretty good.”
He was especially pleased with how the group responded from game one to game two overseas. The opener, he said, was a reminder that nothing is handed out in this sport and that every team has to work through its own process.
Lloyd said the trip offered plenty to learn from, and those lessons are still being used as the Wildcats get ready for what he expects to be a long, hard season.
Among the newer pieces, Maksim Brnovic drew a strong endorsement. Lloyd called him “a great young prospect” and “a great young person,” and said he is “really talented in basketball.”
In Lloyd’s view, Brnovic is only beginning to tap into what he can do. The coach said he expects Brnovic to contribute this year and noted that he has already put together a couple of good practices to start the week.
Lloyd said the challenge now is helping him stay steady through the inevitable ups and downs.
Lloyd also addressed the departure of former assistant Ken Nakagawa, who left for the G-League. He said Nakagawa meant a lot to him and described a 10-year working relationship built on constant communication and shared ideas.
Lloyd praised his work ethic, selflessness, and impact in coaching, scouting, and player development. He said Nakagawa had long wanted a shot in the NBA and called the Utah opportunity an incredible one.
Lloyd said he has no doubt Nakagawa will succeed.
The coach finished with a look at his frontcourt depth, where he said Evan and Endi have made “tremendous progress” since arriving. Lloyd described both as raw in terms of basketball skill and experience when they got there, but said they’ve come a long way.
He sees both as players who can contribute, even with Mo set as the mainstay at that spot this year. Lloyd said having more big, athletic bodies in practice has been a real help, giving the team a better look while also speeding up their development.
He added that both players had good moments in Lithuania, where they got on the floor and looked like they belonged.
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