Ace Bailey Snubbed For Rising Stars Roster
Jan 26, 2026, 5:05 PM
Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz passes over Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Ace Bailey was snubbed for the Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles in February.
The league released the full Rising Stars rosters Tuesday, naming 21 NBA players and seven G League players. The event features only first- and second-year players.
Related: Jazz Launch All-Star Campaigns For Markkanen, George
Ace Bailey Won’t Represent Jazz in Rising Stars
Bailey failed to earn a Rising Stars spot after being part of one of the most highly regarded rookie classes in recent years.
Led by can’t‑miss forward Cooper Flagg, the 2025 draft class has already produced strong early returns from several lottery picks, including Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Egor Demin, Colin Murray‑Boyles, and Cedric Coward.
Although Bailey ranks eighth in scoring among rookies, he was left off the roster, despite exceeding expectations in Utah.
gettin’ in the groove with back-to-back buckets 🕺 pic.twitter.com/Bq547Sw57A
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 25, 2026
Jazz coaches have consistently praised his debut-season impact.
“You see it with cutting, you see it with his passing, he also has made some very great reads on the defensive side of the ball,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “I was very impressed from the first day with the foundation of instincts that Ace has.”
Bailey, 19, is averaging 10.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.
Isaiah Collier Fails To Make Sophomore Team
After missing the Rising Stars Challenge as a rookie, Collier was once again snubbed in his second season.
The 29th pick in the 2024 draft has carved out a steady role with the Jazz’s second unit.
just gonna leave this here… pic.twitter.com/GLTyMPyR9p
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 21, 2026
Collier is averaging 9.1 points, 6.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 51% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. The USC product was the top-rated high school recruit from Georgia before committing to the Trojans.
All-Star Weekend runs Feb. 13–15 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Full Rising Stars Roster
Rookies
Cedric Coward
Egor Demin
VJ Edgecombe
Jeremiah Fears
Cooper Flagg
Dylan Harper
Tre Johnson
Kon Knueppel
Colin Murray Boyles
Derik Queen
Sophomores
Matas Buzelis
Stephon Castle
Donovan Clingan
Kyshawn George
Ajay Mitchell
Alex Sarr
Reed Sheppard
Cam Spencer
Jaylon Tyson
Kel’el Ware
Jaylen Wells
Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches for the Rising Stars tournament.
The Hall of Famers will draft three seven-player NBA rosters to compete in the four-team, three-game event, which also includes a G League squad.
The tournament airs Feb. 13 on Peacock at 5 p.m. MST.
Are you on Instagram? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
