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Jazz rookie Ace Bailey aces test in preseason debut, draws high praise

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 5:17 PM ET

Kevin Durant appeared in his first game as a member of the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, but that he wasn't the only player making his debut in the game. In addition to Rockets fans seeing Durant on the court for the first time, Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey got his first taste of NBA action as well.

And with a pun very much intended, Bailey "aced" his debut performance. In fact, Bailey played so well that he earned high praise from Durant, the player he idolized growing up.

Bailey scored 25 points, connecting on 11 of 16 shots from the field. But he showed he's far more than just a scorer, filling up the entire stat sheet with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.

The No. 5 pick in this year's NBA Draft even flipped a play that started with Durant drilling the ball up the court, ending up with the ball off a steal and then running the floor to slam home a monster dunk with no one around.

Ace Bailey aced his @utahjazz preseason debut!

25 PTS (11-16 FGM)
6 REB
3 AST
2 STL
1 BLK

Quite a start for the No. 5 overall pick pic.twitter.com/CByKWtut76
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2025

Kevin Durant was impressed with Ace Bailey

"I think he's gonna be a helluva player," Durant said following the game, according to KSL.com. "I'm expecting a big year and a big career for him, and tonight he showed what he can do."

The Chattanooga, Tennessee, native enters the NBA after wrapping up a stellar one-and-done college career, at least from an individual perspective, at Rutgers. Bailey was named a third-team All-Big Ten for posting a shooting average of 46% from the field and 34.6% from three to go along with his 17.6 points and 7.2 boards per game.

With the Jazz using Bailey as a key piece in their continued rebuild, the 19-year-old should receive plenty of shots, allowing him an opportunity to fill the box score and make a case for the NBA's Rookie of the Year.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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