Today, the NBA announced the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Rookies, and a notable name was missing: Ace Bailey.
It’s a frustrating omission
that I’m sure Bailey will not be happy about. He has done everything the Jazz have asked him to, and his reward for much of this season was watching minutes go to Svi Mykhailiuk. With Lauri Markkanen missing time, Bailey has shown more and more consistency with some great flashes of talent. In the last 7 games minus Lauri Markkanen, Bailey has averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 48% from the field and playing impressive defense. What might have been for the young prospect had the Jazz prioritized playing time from the start of the season? At least we’ll all appreciate those developmental Mykhailiuk minutes in 5 years when … oh yeah …
It also deserves mention that Walter Clayton Jr. did not make a spot on the team but he has gotten even less time than Bailey so that’s not as much of a surprise.
That wasn’t the only snub for the Jazz. None of Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, or Kyle Filipowski made the sophomore team either.
This is less of a surprise considering the level of play for all three has been up and down. Surprisingly, Cody Williams is probably the biggest snub here. His play in the last 10 games or so has been a welcome sight. He has shown great defensive potential and is starting to look like a real piece for the Jazz moving forward. Williams has started the last 10 games and has averaged 9.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, shooting 53% from the field and 35% from three. Those numbers are a revelation considering how rough his rookie season was.
It’s a nice stretch, but it wasn’t enough to get consideration. Now, this may not seem like a big deal, but you can bet the players pay attention to this. It matters to them. Utah can’t do anything at this point to get them into the game, they should have had a clear plan at the start of the season. That plan should have been to find a way not to have veterans taking time from their young players. Yes, that is happening now, but some arbitrary “gotta earn those minutes” rule kept the players from success, and that’s frustrating.
I have no doubt Bailey will be on the team next year, he’s proven just how good he can be, but it’s a lost opportunity that you can’t get back.
