Ace Bailey: From &quot "Rebellious Boy" to the Jazz s Star of Tomorrow

When the Utah Jazz signed 18-year-old Ace Bailey with the fifth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the entire basketball circle was slanted. This young man who refuses to try out for multiple teams is like the student who always sits in the last row of the classroom in high school but always gets good grades - you know he has the ability, but you just can't figure out his mind.

"I'm not difficult, I just know what I want "

Bailey's draft strategy made many scouts shake their heads. Reject the trial invitation from Jazz, 76ers and other teams? This is considered bold in NBA draft history. But if you know this young man from Rutgers, you will understand that this is not a young reckless person.

"Trial training is like a first date," Bailey made a vivid example, "You want to meet the right person at the right time. " His freshman season averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, but there is still room for improvement in his 34.6% three-point shooting percentage. Jazz CEO Danny Angie has a unique vision: "What we see is not the finished product now, but the masterpiece of the future. "

Jazz's "Taobao " philosophy

Angie played his "Taobao " unique skills this time. In addition to Bailey, they also signed two scorers in the first round 18 and second round 53.

"Young people are like unopened blind boxes," Angie said. "Bailey's blind box may contain an All-Star surprise. " In this era of emphasis on space and defense switching, a 6-foot-9-inch forward who can swing in the 2-4 position is called the "Swiss Army Knife" on the basketball court.

"I want to make all the doubters shut up "

Faced with the question of "whether it deserves the fifth pick ", Bailey's reaction was surprisingly mature. "I know I'm not perfect," he said and gestured his shots, "but perfectionists are often eliminated first. What I have to do is improve 1% every day. "

This summer, his training list reads like a "NBA Survival Guide": Build 5kg muscle, optimize shot selection, and study the habits of top defenders. In his words: "I want to make the winter in Salt Lake City hot because of my performance. "

Written at the end

Bailey's story reminds people of Kobe back then - who also entered the league with controversy and also has confidence beyond his age. The Jazz bet this time is not just a rookie, but also an X-factor that may change the team's fate.

As the local media in Salt Lake City joked: "If Bailey had played, Anji would be a genius; if he hadn't played... Anyway, Jazz fans would have been used to rebuilding." But looking at the figure in the training hall who practiced until late at night, we would rather believe that the Jazz might have really found treasure this time.