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The start of the 2025-26 season did not play out the way Ace Bailey had hoped. Heading into opening night, Bailey was sick and tired, literally.
He’d try to kick the illness — time in the sauna, extra recovery, constant fluids — but instead had a cough and was out of breath after short stints playing. So the first handful of games were hard to get through.
Now, he’s got his wind back, he’s not getting as fatigued during the games and he’s starting to get a feel for his teammates.
“I think his effort level has been really high,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “I’m really pleased with Ace’s progress through this very short first part of the season, because he shows every day that he has the ability to learn and to learn pretty quickly.”
He’s not had a breakout game yet. But the No. 5 overall pick from the 2025 draft has had some standout moments. There have been blocks, steals, high-flying rebounds, quick passes, sharp closeouts, nifty footwork and lightning-fast cuts.
But maybe the most impressive thing so far has been some impressive decision making.
In a loss to the Detroit Pistons this week, Bailey showed off a number of his skills, but there was one moment that stood out. He crashed hard from the corner to get a rebound, and as he came down with the ball, delivered a perfect dump-off pass to Lauri Markkanen in traffic.
Bailey said that the way he processes things is coming along, and that he is looking forward to being able to see plays develop at an even faster pace. But that’s underselling one of his most impressive traits.
“He’s shown the ability, really early on, to make quick decisions,” Hardy said. “It’s something that we’ve urged him and his teammates to do. But like, one of the first plays he was in tonight, that rebound to dropping it to Lauri, that’s not a play you’re seeing a lot of young players make. So you get to see the flashes of his ability to process what’s going on in the game really fast.”
At such a young age — he recently turned 19 — Bailey has plenty of time for his game to develop. But in less than 10 NBA games, he’s shown that he might be able to see the game better than was ever thought based on what he did at Rutgers.
Making quick decisions and processing situations at a rapid pace could end up being one of his greatest assets.
New with the Jazz
From the archives
Extra points
- Utah Jazz’s young players could learn a lot from Svi Mykhailiuk’s journey (Deseret News)
- Jazz players grappling with news that Walker Kessler will miss the season (Deseret News)
- Celtics’ Jaylen Brown blames officials as Jazz celebrate gritty ‘team win’ (Deseret News)
- The Jazz miss the infectious intensity and energy of Collin Sexton (Deseret News)
Around the league
- Memphis’ Ja Morant suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
- Former player Damon Jones pleads not guilty in gambling case.
- Fire destroys house of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
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