Jalen Suggs Reflects on Few, Lloyd, and Challenging 2026 Season Lessons

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 15, 2026 7:54 PM ET

Jalen Suggs Reflects on Few, Lloyd, and Challenging 2026 Season Lessons

Before a recent game in Dallas, Orlando guard Jalen Suggs spoke about several topics. He touched on mentors, a famous NCAA shot, and his team’s playoff push.

Jalen Suggs reflected on Few and Lloyd, and on the challenging 2026 season lessons the team learned. His comments came as the Magic close their regular season.

Mark Few and Gonzaga’s Impact

Suggs praised Mark Few after the coach’s recent Naismith Hall of Fame selection. He highlighted Few’s role in building a lasting culture at Gonzaga and in Spokane.

Suggs spent one season at Gonzaga. That year the Zags lost the 2021 national title game to Baylor.

Tommy Lloyd’s Rise at Arizona

Tommy Lloyd left Gonzaga to become Arizona’s head coach in April 2021. Suggs called Lloyd an elite basketball mind and a strong talent evaluator.

Suggs noted Arizona’s Final Four run in 2026 as proof of Lloyd’s recruiting and coaching. He also mentioned the coach’s success with European prospects.

The 40-Foot Buzzer-Beater

Suggs reflected on his 40-foot, banked three-pointer that beat UCLA in the 2021 Final Four. The shot sent Gonzaga to the national title game and remains part of Zag lore.

CBS Sports placed that make among its top 10 tournament moments. Suggs said having a lasting moment in college basketball means a great deal to him.

Seattle Expansion Thoughts

With ties to Washington, Suggs welcomed talk of the Sonics returning to Seattle. He said the city deserves a franchise and would embrace a new team.

Season Progress, Injuries and Playoff Position

Suggs had his best professional season in 2023-24. He made the NBA All-Defensive team while averaging 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals.

Last year he was limited to 35 games after season-ending surgery on his left knee. This season he played 55 games while managing multiple issues.

He averaged 13.7 points and 5.5 assists this year. Suggs also dealt with a right knee injury and a left hip contusion.

The Magic had won four straight and held a 44-36 record entering the team’s late regular-season stretch. Orlando sat seventh in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind Toronto with two games remaining.

Finishing in the top six would avoid the April 14-17 play-in tournament. The playoffs begin on April 18.

Suggs said the season taught him important lessons about injuries, lineup changes, and consistency. He believes those lessons will carry into the offseason and help his development.