Ace Bailey’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing on Saturday night. The 2025 No. 5 overall pick had just completed his first summer league game, where the Utah Jazz secured a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Naturally, friends and family were eager to call and congratulate him. However, Bailey found himself in the middle of his first postgame press conference, sitting alongside teammate Brice Sensabaugh, as they fielded questions from the media. Despite the constant interruptions, Bailey prioritized the moment, silencing his phone multiple times before eventually tossing it aside without a glance.
Even though Bailey faced some offensive struggles during the game—shooting just 3-of-13 and finishing with eight points—he remained upbeat. He got winded towards the end and was often outshined by Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe, who was the third overall pick. Reflecting on the night, Bailey was all smiles, stating, “Man, it was great. I mean, and we won too, so that made it a plus. It was just fun.”
The atmosphere at the Huntsman Center was electric, with fans giving Bailey a rousing ovation during pregame warmups and cheering loudly when he performed a dunk before the game. “They made me nervous,” Bailey admitted with a laugh, “but it was fun though. Coming into an arena that I’ve never played and just feeling the love from the fans, it was a blessing.”
While Bailey didn’t steal the spotlight, his teammates stepped up. Sensabaugh scored 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while Kyle Filipowski led the Jazz with 22 points. Rookie Walter Clayton Jr. contributed six assists and nine points. On the opposing side, Edgecombe shone brightly, racking up an impressive 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal.
Despite not being the standout player, Bailey remained unfazed. He recognized the need to improve his conditioning to keep pace with the NBA game. His immediate focus is on mastering the Jazz’s system, understanding various plays, and enhancing his communication and defensive aggression. “Rebounding wins games,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of solid fundamentals.
Bailey resonated with Sensabaugh's sentiments about feeling overwhelmed as a rookie, nodding in agreement when Sensabaugh discussed helping fellow rookies acclimate to the league. More than anything, Bailey expressed joy over the team’s victory, which left a lasting impression on him.
Scott Morrison, the Jazz assistant coach and head coach for the SLC Summer League, shared insights on Bailey’s development. He indicated that the coaching staff is not currently concerned with Bailey’s offensive skills. Instead, they are focusing on his ability to excel in other areas of the game. “We’re more interested in him playing hard and pressuring the ball and spacing in the corner,” Morrison explained. He emphasized that establishing a solid foundation in non-scoring aspects of the game is crucial before diving into shot selection and offensive strategies.
As summer league games often lead to speculation, one might conclude that “VJ Edgecombe steals the spotlight from Ace Bailey in Utah.” Yet, Bailey views the situation differently. He is grateful to have played in front of enthusiastic fans, celebrated a team victory, and is eager to develop his skills further as he embarks on his NBA journey.
