Ace Bailey’s Breakout Month Highlights the Depth of the 2025 NBA Draft Class
January was anything but quiet for Ace Bailey - even if his rise has flown a bit under the radar. The Utah Jazz rookie has turned a corner, and in doing so, he’s not just helping his team envision the future - he’s helping redefine what a loaded draft class can look like.
Let’s start with the big picture: the 2025 NBA Draft is shaping up to be one of the most impactful rookie classes we’ve seen in years. It’s not just one or two standout players making waves - it’s nearly the entire lottery. And Bailey’s recent surge is the latest evidence that this group might be something special.
A Rookie Class That’s Already Delivering
Historically, it’s rare for all top-five picks to hit the ground running. Even fewer rookie classes see that kind of production extend into the back half of the top 10. But the 2025 class is bucking that trend in a big way.
Cooper Flagg, VJ Edgecombe, and Kon Knueppel - all top-five selections - are already front and center in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Dylan Harper and Collin Murray-Boyles are logging real minutes on teams with playoff aspirations. Egor Demin, Jeremiah Fears, and Tre Johnson are holding their own in high-usage roles, putting up efficient numbers without the spotlight.
And it doesn’t stop there. Cedric Coward (No. 11) and Derik Queen (No. 13) have both made strong All-Rookie cases of their own. This class is deep, talented, and already making its mark.
Now, add Ace Bailey to that mix.
Bailey’s Turnaround Is No Fluke
Bailey didn’t come storming out of the gate - his first month was a learning curve. But since November, he’s found his rhythm, and January has been his coming-out party.
Over the course of the season, he’s averaged 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.5 made threes in just under 25 minutes per game. His shooting splits - 45.5% from the field, 34.8% from deep, and 72.2% from the line - show a player who’s starting to figure out how to score efficiently at the NBA level.
When you stretch those numbers out to per-36 minutes, the production jumps to 16.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.2 threes - a strong all-around stat line for a rookie wing still settling into his role.
But the real story is how Bailey has elevated his play in recent weeks. After playing just over 25 minutes combined in his first two January games, he’s been on a tear. He’s scored in double figures in eight of his last nine games, shooting 49.6% from the field during that stretch.
He’s also hit the 18-point mark in six of his last seven outings, including three games with 20-plus - highlighted by a 25-point explosion against San Antonio.
Scoring at All Three Levels
What’s been most impressive about Bailey’s breakout is the versatility in his scoring. He’s not just living at the rim or relying on spot-up threes - he’s showing the kind of three-level scoring that suggests long-term star potential.
In the restricted area, he’s converting at a 67.8% clip - a strong number for a wing. He’s also hitting 39.1% of his midrange attempts, showing touch in that in-between space where many young players struggle. Add in his growing confidence from beyond the arc, and you’ve got a player who can hurt defenses in a variety of ways.
What This Means for Utah
For the Jazz, Bailey’s emergence is more than just a promising rookie campaign - it’s a glimpse into a possible future where he and Lauri Markkanen form a dynamic one-two punch.
Markkanen has been the face of the franchise since arriving in Utah, but the front office has been searching for a long-term co-star. If Bailey continues on this trajectory - and the signs are pointing in that direction - the Jazz may have found their guy.
It’s still early, and consistency will be key. But Bailey has already shown that he belongs, and more importantly, that he’s growing quickly. For a team in transition, that’s exactly what you want from a top draft pick.
A Draft Class With All-Time Potential
With Bailey’s rise, nearly every top-10 pick from the 2025 draft is not just contributing - they’re thriving. And when even the so-called “lesser-known” rookies like Demin and Johnson are shooting close to 40% from deep, it’s clear this class is deep with talent and ready to make an impact.
The Rookie of the Year race is going to be a tough one, not because of a lack of options - but because there are so many deserving candidates. That’s a good problem for the league to have.
And for Utah? It’s a sign that they may have struck gold with Ace Bailey.