Ace Bailey impresses Jazz despite 8 points in summer debut - ESPN

SALT LAKE CITY — No. 5 draft pick Ace Bailey's debut in a Utah Jazz uniform featured more dirty work than flashes of his scoring potential, which wasn't necessarily a disappointment to his new coaches.

Bailey finished with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting in the Jazz's 93-89 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday's Salt Lake City Summer League opener. He was outshined by Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick who had 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists while going 13-of-27 from the floor.

However, with the game on the line, Edgecombe missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the score. Bailey grabbed the defensive rebound with four seconds left and hit one of two free throws to seal the Jazz's victory.

«Man, it was great,» said Bailey, whose best highlight was soaring well above the rim to reject a layup attempt. «We won too, so that made it a plus. It was fun.»

Following a few days postdraft when Bailey's desire to play in Utah or even report to the Jazz were in doubt, the 18-year-old impressed his coaches with his physical, active defensive effort and by grabbing seven rebounds in his 25 minutes, several of which were in traffic, including the clutch defensive board.

«All that stuff isn't talked about enough,» Jazz coach Will Hardy told ESPN, referring to the 6-foot-8, 210-pound Bailey's ability and willingness to defend and rebound. «The offense will come. He's learning a new system and new people and has been worked hard the last four days [in practice].

»He's an NBA body and athlete. He's a great teammate too. I've had nothing but positive reviews from all the coaches and his teammates this first week."

The Jazz intended to help ease Bailey's transition to the NBA by having Omar Cooper Jr. — the son of