From the moment Ace Bailey walked through the doors at the Utah Jazz practice facility, he has brought a smile to every person he’s encountered.
He engages in every conversation with a sense of wonder and joy. Twenty minutes after a hard workout or scrimmage, he’s ready to go again. He itches to try new things, he’s desperate to prove himself to be a gracious and caring teammate and he’s got all the athletic and raw potential of an NBA star.
“He can get out and transition and score, he’s a good shooter. He’s a great basketball player. He knows what he’s doing, but he’s also an open book.”
— Kyle Anderson on Jazz teammate Ace Bailey
When the Utah Jazz brass interviewed Bailey at the NBA Draft Combine, back in May, they probably saw what the rest of us have seen the last couple of weeks — an energetic, enthusiastic young man who is champing at the bit to put on an NBA jersey and play basketball at the highest level.
“Whether it’s get a rebound, clap, get some water, whatever it is,” Bailey said. “I’m really just pumped for the season to really start.”
That’s a far cry from the narrative that was spun in the weeks and days leading up to the draft in late June, when many wondered whether Bailey would even report to the team that drafted him.
Throughout the pre-draft process, Bailey’s then-manager, Omar Cooper, turned down requests for pre-draft workouts, reportedly tried to manipulate teams into not drafting him so Bailey would end up at a “preferred” destination, and made decisions that were unlike what we’ve seen for a rookie of Bailey’s caliber.
Those decisions had many across and around the NBA wondering about Bailey’s maturity level, if he was entitled, was coming into the NBA with a bad attitude, would be willing to do the work to reach his potential. But it takes just one time of meeting Bailey or hearing Bailey talk to know that he’s the opposite of entitled or unwilling.
Prior to the start of training camp, Bailey parted ways with Cooper.
“I feel like I just made the best decision to move forward, to better me and my family and our position,” Bailey said.
That move seems to have wiped the slate clean and allowed everyone to see the unbridled joy that Bailey brings to the Jazz. His teammates have raved about the rookie’s energy and his ability to put a smile on someone’s face.
“He’s a special 19-year-old, and his energy is definitely infectious,” veteran Kyle Anderson said. “He’s willing to learn, and that’s what’s most important ... obviously, he’s a really good player. He can get out and transition and score, he’s a good shooter. He’s a great basketball player. He knows what he’s doing, but he’s also an open book.”
And learning seems to be one of Bailey’s favorite things. A wide grin spreads across his youthful face when he talks about messing up during training camp or learning about the best way to rebound from the corners. When he mentions the conversations he’s getting to have with the likes of Lauri Markkanen or Kevin Love, it’s like Bailey is describing a dream, because that’s what this is.
Ace Bailey is making his dreams come true. And despite the rocky start where his reputation is concerned, it’s going to take no time at all for him to convince everyone around the NBA that he’s right where he wants to be and he can’t wait for what’s next.
