Ace Bailey was arguably probably the most polarizing participant within the 2025 NBA Draft.
Ace Bailey was the one American-based prospect to not meet with any NBA groups previous to the draft. This led to him dropping from his preliminary projections as a top-three choose.
It was initially reported that Bailey didn’t need to go to the Utah Jazz and most well-liked the Washington Wizards at No. 6, however the Jazz nonetheless ended up taking him at No. 5.
The Jazz felt that Bailey was well worth the danger and if he reaches wherever near his ceiling, he’ll wind up wanting like a draft day steal.
It doesn’t harm when a rookie makes an excellent first impression along with his new crew.
Bailey had everybody speaking along with his unimaginable efficiency in opposition to the Houston Rockets in his preseason debut.
Bailey confirmed off his star potential when he poured in 25 factors on 11-for-16 taking pictures from the sphere to go together with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a pair of steals.
Earlier than the sport, Jazz head coach Will Hardy talked about how he watched movie of Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum from early of their profession to assist him determine a roadmap for Bailey.
Durant and Tatum are at the moment two of one of the best forwards within the sport right now.
“A few gamers this summer season and what their first couple of years within the league appeared like, attempting to know what their pathway was.
“I feel with guys like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, everyone knows what it seems like now, and that may be distracting.
“So it was good for me to return and watch numerous that movie and attempt to perceive what the start of that street appeared like.
“I feel there’s issues to remove. I feel understanding form of play sorts and what that food regimen is. Perhaps not as many ISOs while you’re tremendous younger, doesn’t imply none.
“However what can we do to attempt to make Ace’s life somewhat bit simpler with out making the crew about Ace? I feel one in all my greatest focal factors in camp and in preseason and early within the season is, we are able to’t overreact to something that occurs with Ace, good or dangerous.
“I feel we have to acknowledge that is the start of his profession. He’s a younger man and he’s attempting to study and develop.
“Ace has proven an unimaginable means to study. His vitality stage is contagious. You guys see him at shoot round right now, he’s like that each day, all day.
“So I’m excited to get him on the market, however there’s a lot to study from how different gamers started their careers and what that roadmap seems like.”
Every thing that made Bailey an incredible prospect at Rutgers was on full show in opposition to Houston.
Bailey’s self-creation was a revelation for a Jazz crew that always struggles with that on the offensive finish.
Durant was impressed with what he noticed from Bailey, calling him a “dynamic participant” after the sport.
“I feel he’s gonna be a helluva participant. I really like the teaching workers that he’s with, I really like that he received drafted to Utah.
“Good growth program over there…I’m anticipating an enormous yr and an enormous profession for him and tonight he confirmed what he can do,” Durant stated.
All through his 31 minutes of ground time, Bailey was a disruptive power on protection and was aggressive on offense. His shot choice was superb and most significantly he appeared very snug with the ball in his palms.
It’s early, however the Jazz may need discovered one thing particular in Bailey.
