Remember how the Utah Jazz got snubbed from both of the All-Rookie teams last season? Well, history did not repeat itself this time, but hotshot Ace Bailey got a little disrespected, as he finished on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. So he didn't get snubbed, but he did just get the extra motivation that the league has underestimated him.
The league just revealed who made the All-NBA rookie teams, and while the other four of the top five in the 2025 NBA Rookie class got the first team - Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe - Bailey got snubbed by Cedric Coward.
2025-26 Kia NBA All-Rookie Second Team: Ace Bailey, Jeremiah Fears, Collin Murray-Boyles, Derik Queen, and Maxime Raynaud. pic.twitter.com/ItP2wjpp26
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 20, 2026
In all fairness, it speaks to how loaded this rookie class was overall, but even so, this is perfect bulletin board material for next season. The Jazz may not depend on Bailey as much as they will some of his other teammates, but he really could be the difference maker that pushes the Jazz to the highest level possible.
Bailey had a pretty fantastic rookie season overall. So much so that it deserves consideration among the best rookie seasons in Jazz history. The fact that voters thought there were five rookies better than him doesn't really reflect on Bailey, but the league may come to regret putting him on the second team because he just got an even bigger chip on his shoulder.
Bailey ended the season on a hot streak
As Utah began to embrace their tank, that gave Bailey more opportunities to shine. He took that and ran with it! From February 26 to the regular season finale, Bailey averaged nearly 19 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals while shooting nearly 44% from the field and 36% from three.
Bailey didn't have the best start to his rookie season, but because it's as long as it is, he simply needed a month or so to get his feet wet.
What also worked against him was that his other draft contemporaries were either already the most important players on their respective teams or vital contributors to playoff teams. Bailey fit neither category, but he's given every indication that he could eventually be both in no time.
Now Bailey has even more motivation to prove just how talented he is. He already had something to prove when many questioned if he was the right pick for the Jazz last year. Now he can prove he absolutely isn't just top-10 in a loaded class, but one of the absolute top players, period, from the 2025 NBA Draft.
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