Ace Bailey news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey averaged 13.8 points and made NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
The 19-year-old is now the subject of role, award and fan-wear talk.
Background
Ace Bailey, a 19-year-old guard from Chattanooga, was Utah's top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. As a rookie he played 72 games, started 61 and averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 27.6 minutes, earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. With the Jazz adding more players who need the ball, his role for 2026-27 is an open question.
How it unfolded
- 2025 -26 seasonBailey plays 72 games as a rookie, starts 61 and averages 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 27.6 minutes.
- 2026He earns NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
- Mar 2026He leads the Jazz with 25 points against the 76ers, drawing public praise from teammate Jusuf Nurkic.
- Sep 9, 2026Nike names him a featured athlete in its NBA Standard Issue fan-wear collection, launching September 15 and October 12.
- Sep 10, 2026The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports he is returning home for a youth camp.
Who’s saying what
- Teammate
- Jusuf Nurkic shared a public message praising Bailey's rapid development despite the Jazz's 21-50 record.
- Analysts
- A Sports Illustrated piece frames Bailey as a longshot bet for Most Improved Player.
- Caution
- Yahoo Sports notes that with George, Peterson, Markkanen and Jackson also needing the ball, Bailey must find his opportunities in between.
Still unverified
The Yahoo Sports piece on Bailey's 2026-27 role and the Sports Illustrated Most Improved Player item carry no clear publication dates in the material; the Most Improved Player framing is a betting longshot, not a confirmed award outcome.