Dwyane Wade believes rookie Ace Bailey has a bright future ahead with the Utah Jazz, and the Hall of Famer is eager to watch him get to work next season.
Bailey was a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season at Rutgers, averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and one steal on 34.6% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked ninth among all freshmen in points (527) and 10th in rebounds (215).
The 6-foot-8 forward fell to the Jazz with the fifth pick after orchestrating a precarious predraft process. Even with all the controversy surrounding Bailey, Wade, a minority team owner, believes that CEO Danny Ainge & Co. made the right decision to select him.
“Getting a young guy like Ace Bailey, the talent that he has, you cannot pass him up,” Wade said on the “Time Out” podcast. “There is no way. Even though the rumor mill was saying that he wanted to go to certain teams, there’s no way you can pass him up. He is too talented. He is one of those guys that just walk in the gym, and he can get you 30. He is just one of those Melo-type of scorer type of players, so (you) had to get him. I thought Danny and the staff did an amazing job of grabbing a young fella.”
Bailey was a highly-touted prospect entering the draft because of his size, scoring and instincts on both ends of the court. He was viewed by many as the third-best prospect in the class and likely would have been picked at that position had it been a more favorable destination in his view.
The 18-year-old debuted with the Jazz on July 5, recording eight points and seven rebounds. He had 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists two days later and hasn’t played since then because of a hip injury that is considered day to day.
Despite logging only 30 total minutes, Bailey has had the chance to flash his overall skill set in a small sample size. The team has been encouraged by him in the early going, and his work hasn’t gone unnoticed by Wade and the rest of the front office.
“As soon as he got there, he clocked in and went right to work,” Wade said. “He is going to be fine. I think, as he allows it, he is going to understand he is in a very good organization. He is in a very good spot to allow himself to grow: One as a young man, but also as a young basketball player in this league. I think it was a very good move for him, and we’ll see how he responds to it, but I think everyone’s excited about the young core in Utah.”