Jazz Rookie Ace Bailey Gives 'Fantastic' Review of Debut Season

The 5th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft had a breakout year despite the Jazz's struggles.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:34am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric planes in navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange, conceptually representing the dynamic action and energy of a basketball game.Ace Bailey's breakout rookie season with the Utah Jazz is captured in a cubist, geometric illustration that deconstructs the sport of basketball.Houston Today

Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey delivered a standout debut season, averaging 13.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game despite the team's 22-60 record. Bailey used five words - "learning, good, great, awesome, fantastic" - to describe his rookie campaign, which included a pair of 20-point games in April and a career-high 37 points against the Toronto Raptors.

Why it matters

Bailey's strong rookie season provides a bright spot for the Jazz, who had a difficult 2025-26 campaign and finished tied for the worst record in the Western Conference. The 5th overall pick's development is crucial as the team looks to rebuild around young talent.

The details

Bailey played in 72 of 82 games for the Jazz, who were hampered by injuries throughout the season. Head coach Will Hardy praised Bailey's increased responsibility and composure, saying he doesn't want the rookie to feel like he has to carry the entire team. Despite the Jazz's struggles, Bailey delivered several impressive individual performances, including 22 points against the Houston Rockets and 23 points versus the Memphis Grizzlies in April.

  • On April 3, Bailey scored 22 points against the Houston Rockets.
  • On April 14, Bailey described his rookie season with the words "learning, good, great, awesome... fantastic!"
  • On March 23, Bailey scored a career-high 37 points against the Toronto Raptors.

The players

Ace Bailey

A rookie forward for the Utah Jazz, drafted 5th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He had a standout debut season, averaging 13.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Will Hardy

The head coach of the Utah Jazz, who praised Bailey's increased responsibility and composure during the team's difficult 2025-26 campaign.

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What they’re saying

“Ace is taking on a greater responsibility for longer stretches of the game. I think it's really good for him to get those pockets of time. I don't want him to feel like he has to go into the entirety of the game and be that guy.”

— Will Hardy, Head Coach, Utah Jazz

“Learning, good, great, awesome... fantastic!”

— Ace Bailey

What’s next

Bailey will look to build on his strong rookie season as the Jazz aim to improve in the 2026-27 campaign. The team will hope to surround the young forward with more talent to help the franchise return to the playoffs.

The takeaway

Despite the Jazz's struggles, Ace Bailey's breakout rookie season provides hope for the franchise's future. The 5th overall pick demonstrated his potential as a scoring threat and earned praise from his head coach, suggesting the Jazz have found a building block to lead them back to relevance in the Western Conference.