Ace Bailey’s ‘Welcome to the NBA’ Moment Came Courtesy of Devin Booker - and It Was Brutal
Ace Bailey has been turning heads in his rookie season with the Utah Jazz. The 19-year-old forward has already built a highlight reel that looks more like a mixtape - high-flying dunks, smooth finishes, and flashes of the two-way potential that made him the fifth overall pick.
But every rookie, no matter how talented, eventually runs into that “Oh, this is really the NBA” moment. For Bailey, it came at the hands of one of the league’s most polished scorers: Devin Booker.
During Rising Stars media availability at the Intuit Dome on Friday night, Bailey opened up about the moment that officially baptized him into the league. It wasn’t a poster dunk or a chase-down block - it was something much quieter, but just as devastating: Booker’s signature mid-range fadeaway.
Bailey didn’t sugarcoat it. Guarding Booker, he said, is like trying to solve a puzzle where every piece is a bucket.
NBA's Rising Stars share their "Welcome to the league" moments 👀 pic.twitter.com/xZ0oxtOUMC
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“Bro, come on,” he remembered thinking as Booker calmly drilled a shot in his face. That fadeaway - smooth, balanced, and nearly impossible to contest without drawing a whistle - served as a harsh reminder that NBA scoring isn’t just about athleticism.
It’s about craft. And Booker’s got it in spades.
But while the Booker moment was humbling, it hasn’t derailed Bailey’s confidence - or his production. Over his last 15 games, he’s averaging 11.7 points and 3.9 rebounds on 45% shooting.
Solid numbers for a rookie, especially one still learning the ropes of the pro game. And he carried that momentum right into All-Star Weekend.
Bailey was a late addition to the Rising Stars roster, stepping in for the injured Cooper Flagg on Team Melo. But he didn’t just fill a spot - he made his presence felt.
In the semifinal matchup, he played a key role in helping Carmelo Anthony’s squad edge out Team Austin 65-60. While Dylan Harper stole the spotlight with the game-winner, Bailey’s defensive versatility stood out.
He switched across multiple positions, disrupted passing lanes, and brought the kind of energy that coaches love in a young wing.
The championship game didn’t go Team Melo’s way - they fell 25-24 to Team Vince after V.J. Edgecombe sealed it at the line - but Bailey’s showing was another step forward in what’s shaping up to be an impressive debut season.
There’s still plenty of learning ahead. Nights like the one against Booker are part of the process.
But Bailey’s already shown he can take the hit, learn from it, and come back stronger. That’s what separates the flash-in-the-pan rookies from the ones who stick.
And if this is just the beginning, the Jazz might have something special on their hands.