We're not too long removed from the uncertainty surrounding Ace Bailey and the Utah Jazz after they drafted him. While it appears that drama is gone for the time being, Bailey appeared in a Utah clinic, and he revealed that the fans made it very clear how excited they are to have him on the team.
Since arriving in Utah and having his introductory press conference, Bailey, along with fellow picks Walter Clayton Jr. and John Tonje, hosted a one-hour clinic at the Boys and Girls Club. After the event, Bailey told reporters about how the fans welcomed him.
“As soon as I opened the door they were chanting, ‘We want Ace! We want Ace!’ I just loved it,” Bailey said, per The Deseret News' Sarah Todd. “That was fun ... From them just asking me how tall I am ... and they just want a picture and an autograph. It’s just a blessing to be in that position.”
It didn't stop there. Bailey said fans were quick to show their devotion to him.
“I just felt the love soon as I walked through the door,” Bailey said. “I mean, ‘Ace, you need somewhere to eat? Ace! Ace! I can help you!’ It’s just awesome that I’ve got that type of fanbase at the Utah Jazz.”
It's clear from this that despite all the rumors, which from all indications was very overblown, the fans wanted to make it clear to Bailey that they are more than happy to embrace him. And why wouldn't they? Bailey is a ray of hope Utah has lacked in the last three years (apologies to Lauri Markkanen).
He's an athletic wing who has shown he has the capabilities of scoring at an elite level. He may not be a sure thing, but he has the talent to be a star wing, which is a player archetype Utah hasn't had since the days of Gordon Hayward.
When was the last time the Jazz had a prospect this exciting?
It's hard to pinpoint the last time the Jazz had a prospect who, from the get-go, excited the fanbase this much. For the record, it didn't take long for Donovan Mitchell to make an impression. The 2017 Summer League had many optimistic about what he could become, though that optimism was cautious because, well, it's Summer League.
Hayward was technically a top-10 pick, but it took him until his fifth season to show that he was a star in the making. In the last two years, the Jazz's two highest lottery picks were Taylor Hendricks (raw and got hurt in his second season) and Cody Williams (who had a frighteningly-bad rookie season).
It's fair to say that Bailey is the most exciting draft prospect the Jazz have had since Deron Williams. Williams went on to become one of the best point guards of his era who guided the team to their only Western Conference Finals appearance besides the Malone-Stockton days.
Having promise is one thing, but living up to it is another. There's definitely some hang-ups with Bailey's game, but the Jazz signaled their faith in him regardless of his flaws or his controversial antics before the draft. The Jazz are on a timeline that fits with a young player like Bailey going through some growing pains, so even if he doesn't burst out of the gate, Utah can be patient.
What is encouraging is that fans have let him know from the very start that they want him on the team and they believe in him. Once he plays in front of a crowd next week at the Summer League, Bailey's going to know how strong that passion, and that might just be all he needs.