Ace Bailey’s NBA Journey Begins
Ace Bailey, the fifth overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the recent NBA draft, revealed on Sunday that the idea of holding out or demanding a trade never crossed his mind. Following some backlash regarding his pre-draft choices, including his refusal to participate in workouts for interested teams, Bailey made his way to Utah with a positive outlook.
Positive Outlook Despite Challenges
When questioned during his introductory press conference about whether he contemplated not joining the Jazz, he remained upbeat, stating,
“Just blessed to be in the position I am.”
While he had declined workout opportunities with the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, and even the Jazz prior to the draft, Utah nonetheless chose him with their lottery pick, indicating their belief in his potential. Despite not being among Bailey’s preferred teams beforehand, the Jazz are optimistic that the 18-year-old can develop into a significant scoring threat.
Welcoming New Talent
In addition to Bailey, the Jazz welcomed fellow rookies Walter Clayton Jr. and John Tonje, who were selected with the 18th and 53rd picks, respectively. Austin Ainge, president of basketball operations for the team, expressed excitement about these new additions, stating,
“This is a dream scenario for us. These are guys we targeted before the draft with high potential and high character, and we couldn’t be more excited.”
Ainge highlighted the versatility and capability of all three newcomers, asserting that they can contribute significantly on both ends of the court:
“These guys can play on both ends. We’re looking for the best combination of all the skills we can. But, yeah, these guys can put the ball in the hole.”
Bailey’s Potential and Determination
Before the draft, many mock drafts projected Bailey as a top-three pick, showcasing his potential as a dynamic 6-foot-8 forward known for his diverse offensive skills. During his single season at Rutgers, he averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds, displaying his shooting capacity, which includes impressive accuracy from beyond the three-point line, at 34.6%.
Despite his skills, concerns lingered regarding his shot efficiency, ball-handling, passing, defensive tenacity, and maturity, which ultimately led to his draft slide. Nonetheless, Bailey is determined to validate Utah’s choice.
“I trust my work,”
he stated confidently.
“I (put in) countless hours in the gym with everything that I do. So I trust it. Everybody makes mistakes. God didn’t put us here to be perfect. So I just trust myself and just trust my process.”
