- Ace Bailey receives warm welcome from Jazz fans ahead of his debut.
- Bailey, the No. 5 draft pick, feels embraced by Utah's enthusiastic fan base.
- Jazz coaches and players encourage Bailey to be himself during the summer league.
SALT LAKE CITY — The chants started as soon as Ace Bailey walked through the doors.
"We want Ace!"
"We want Ace!"
"We want Ace!"
It had been less than a week since the Jazz rookie was taken with the No. 5 pick in the NBA draft, but that didn't stop a group of youngsters from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake from giving him a hero's welcome.
"That was fun," Bailey said after the basketball clinic he and fellow rookies Walt Clayton Jr. and John Tonje helped run. "They were just asking me how tall I am ... and they just want a picture and an autograph. It's just a blessing to be in that position."
That type of experience has been the norm for Bailey since he touched down in Salt Lake City. He was fairly stunned when he stopped into an Apple store to buy a phone and was instantly recognized by fans.
"I just felt the love as soon as I walked through the door," he said. "I mean, 'Ace, Ace Ace.' It's just awesome that I got that type of fan base at the Utah Jazz."
He should expect more of that love on Saturday when he makes his Jazz debut at the Salt Lake City Summer League at the Huntsman Center.
Utah opens summer league play against the 76ers (7 p.m. MDT, KJZZ, Jazz+), giving Bailey a chance to go head-to-head with V.J. Edgecombe — the No. 3 overall pick. Bailey was thought to be in consideration for that pick, but he canceled his workout with Philadelphia. Now, all that draft drama feels like a distant memory as Bailey starts to find his footing in Utah.
"He brought good energy, he's a very personable kid to talk to. Took coaching real well," Jazz summer league coach Scott Morrison said. "He got here early, got some shots up, did a little bit of work, but he'll figure out his rhythm.
"I'd say overall, he brought a positive impact on the day, which is something to be said for someone that age in his first days in the NBA."
Bailey credited Jazz guards Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George for helping him through his early transition, showing him where to be on the floor and helping him feel comfortable.
Collier, who will play alongside Bailey in summer league, knows Bailey's talent well. The two faced off during their prep years in Georgia, with Collier's team eliminating Bailey's in the state tournament. (Bailey was quick to remember that one.)
"Just definitely seeing his development; it's been great," Collier said. "And just knowing the potential he has … and he's only 18 years old, so the sky's the limit for him."
That's why he and George had a simple message for Bailey as he transitions into the NBA: Be yourself.
"Take your shot. Just be Ace," Bailey said, relaying what his Jazz teammates told him. "I mean, don't try to fit in. Just be who you are."
And he's hoping to show who he is during summer league. To him, that doesn't mean dropping 30 points or putting up a big stat line — it's more about how he carries himself.
"I mean just being a great, humble kid, a great teammate," Bailey said. "Iif it's the last person or the first person, just clapping them up."
Salt Lake City Summer League schedule
Saturday, July 5
- Grizzlies vs. Thunder, 5 p.m.
- Jazz vs. 76ers, 7 p.m.
Monday, July 7
- Thunder vs. 76ers, 5 p.m.
- Jazz vs. Grizzlies, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 8
- Grizzlies vs. 76ers, 5 p.m.
- Jazz vs. Thunder, 7 p.m.
