Ace Bailey is entering his second NBA season with the Utah Jazz after an encouraging rookie campaign that gave Utah plenty to build on. Selected fifth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Bailey arrived in the league with significant expectations following his standout college career at Rutgers.
The 6-foot-9 forward quickly established himself as an important part of the Jazz rotation. During the 2025-26 regular season, Ace Bailey appeared in 72 games and made 61 starts, averaging 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He also shot 44.3% from the field, 34.4% from three-point range and 75% from the free-throw line.
Ace Bailey showed flashes of his scoring potential
Bailey’s rookie season featured several performances that highlighted why Utah invested a top-five pick in him. His ability to score from the perimeter while operating as a lengthy forward gives the Jazz another potential offensive weapon.
One of his stronger late-season performances came against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 10, when Bailey finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and two assists while shooting 10-of-19 from the field.
He also recorded 22 points and six rebounds against Houston on April 3, showing his ability to produce when given an expanded offensive role.
Ace Bailey stats and rookie-year development
The Ace Bailey stats from his first NBA season show a player who was given substantial responsibility at just 19 years old. He averaged 27.6 minutes per game while contributing 13.8 points and 4.2 rebounds.
His three-point shooting will remain an important part of his development. Bailey attempted 5.5 threes per game as a rookie and made 34.4% of them, giving Utah a potential floor-spacing option at the forward position.
There was also evidence of improvement as the season progressed. According to StatMuse, Bailey averaged 17.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 30 games beginning January 31, 2026.
What comes next for Ace Bailey?
The biggest question surrounding Ace Bailey heading into his second NBA season is how much he can build on that late-season progress. The Jazz will be looking for greater consistency, particularly with his shooting, playmaking and overall offensive efficiency.
At only 20 years old, Bailey remains one of Utah’s intriguing young building blocks. His combination of size, scoring ability and perimeter shooting gives him the tools to develop into a more prominent offensive option.
For now, the early numbers suggest that Bailey’s rookie campaign was only the beginning. If he can turn his flashes of production into consistent performances, his role with the Utah Jazz could grow significantly during the 2026-27 season.
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