Ace Bailey has made a remarkable first impression on Utah Jazz fans by scoring 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting against the Houston Rockets in his preseason debut. It was everything Utah could've asked for, as Bailey thrived against several of the best defenders in the NBA, albeit in a preseason setting.
Bailey wasn't the only young cornerstone to show out, however, as Brice Sensabaugh offered a powerful reminder of his own star potential.
Sensabaugh, 21, is preparing for his third season with the Jazz after going No. 28 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. He turned heads during his second year, making the leap to elite status as a three-point shooter with an undeniably sensational combination of volume and efficiency.
Sensabaugh finished the 2024-25 season averaging 10.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.2 three-point field goals made in just 20.2 minutes per game on .459/.422/.890 shooting.
In addition to shooting the lights out, Sensabaugh showed clear flashes of star potential. He dropped 34 points on the Miami Heat and scored at least 20 points in nine different games—including four of the seven during which he received at least 30 minutes of playing time.
Sensabaugh picked up where he left off during Utah's preseason debut, torching the Rockets to the tune of 24 points in 26 minutes, shooting 9-of-15 from the field and 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Jazz sharpshooter Brice Sensabaugh continues to display star potential
Sensabaugh was on fire from beyond the arc, burying shots from the corners, above the break, and virtually everywhere else on the court. He also took a handoff all the way to the rack, throwing down a contested dunk that revealed the significance of his strength and athleticism.
Sensabaugh even used his handle to create space for a step-back three that appeared to be a direct statement to those who doubt his isolation capabilities—though few skeptics remain amongst Jazz fans.
Sensabaugh has become something of a fan favorite in Utah with his remarkable exploits from beyond the arc. In 2024-25, he shot 43.5 percent on catch-and-shoot threes and 36.4 percent on pull-up attempts from distance, thus displaying his versatility as a shooter.
Sensabaugh shot an absurd 50.4 percent on corner threes, buried 38.4 percent of his attempts from above the break, and even knocked down 46.2 percent of his midrange jumpers.
Sensabaugh's development is likely to play a direct role in the success Utah experiences overall. He's arguably the best three-point shooter on the roster, capable of turning on and off-ball situations into conversions that improve the team's spacing and overall flow of motion offensively.
An increase in playing time will be essential to Sensabaugh exploring the further reaches of his potential, but his preseason showing against Houston is an excellent step in that direction.
Bailey will clearly feature more prominently in the Jazz's offensive gameplan as the prototypical three-level scoring threat. A combination of Bailey and Sensabaugh, however, may very well present Utah with its best option for building a sustainably competitive team.
It's only preseason, but Sensabaugh is already reminding Jazz fans of how significant his potential is by continuing to excel as one of the best shooters in the NBA.