How Ace Bailey’s Surprisingly Simple Routine is Silently Shaping a Rookie Phenom

Bailey is going to get plenty of chances with the Jazz this season, the ball will be in his hands. What will be the key to his success and, more importantly, growth as a rookie? Developing a routine, Jazz coach Will Hardy told Andy Larson of the Salt Lake Tribune.

Utah has enough talent on the roster to be respectable this season — although every one of those veterans mentioned above is available via trade — but the Jazz are rebuilding and this is a team that is looking for its star to build around. While Jazz fans may be looking ahead to the upcoming draft that player, Bailey will get a chance this season to show he can be that guy.
This is where having veterans on the roster, such as Georges Niang, Kyle Anderson, and Lauri Markkanen, is beneficial for Bailey — he can see firsthand how experienced players who have stuck and thrived in the league prepare themselves physically and mentally for the grind of the NBA season. Having mentors matters.“I think Ace showed he was really active in Summer League. He’s a good cutter. He can play in off-ball screens. And then defensively, while his body is continuing to get stronger, it’s going to be about using his length, because I think that is a real strength of his right now. I think that’s how he can survive on the defensive end right now.”“For Ace, first and foremost, it’s going to be about building a routine. The NBA is a lot. The number of appearances is far more than he used to. That’s practice, shootaround, games, but it’s going to be about sort of him finding his routine, because I think the routine saves you during the season, you don’t have to think that much.”

Ace Bailey’s debut at the Salt Lake City Summer League was a bit of a mixed bag — limited to just two games thanks to a pesky hip injury and absent from Las Vegas entirely. Sure, his first outing left a lot to be desired, but by his second game, there were flashes of the player Utah Jazz fans might rally behind. This season, Bailey isn’t just riding the bench; the ball is going to be in his hands more than ever. The big question? What’s going to unlock his growth and success as a rookie in a league that demands so much, so fast? Jazz coach Will Hardy nailed it when he emphasized the importance of building a strong routine. It’s not just about talent — it’s about enduring the NBA’s relentless pace, the endless practices, shootarounds, and games — finding that rhythm where things start flowing without overthinking every move. The added bonus? Bailey’s locker room includes seasoned pros like Georges Niang, Kyle Anderson, and Lauri Markkanen, who serve as invaluable mentors showing him the ropes — physically and mentally — for surviving and thriving in the league’s grind. I saw enough in those two Summer League appearances to feel optimistic; Bailey displayed a willingness to adapt and improve, which is more than some rookies can claim right out the gate. Defensive length, cutting off-ball, and raw activity — these are the tools he’s beginning to sharpen. The Jazz may be in a rebuilding phase, but it’s clear they’re looking at Bailey as a cornerstone for the future — a star worth betting on even before the draft buzz shifts elsewhere. The stage is set, the spotlight’s on, and Bailey’s ready for his shot. LEARN MOREIt was hard to get much of a read on No. 5 pick Ace Bailey at the Salt Lake City Summer League because he played in just two games due to a hip injury (he did not play in Las Vegas). After struggling in his initial outing, Bailey looked better in his second game.My main positive takeaway from Summer League for Bailey was that he showed improvement between his two games, although Hardy noted he saw more things he liked.