Eight Debate: Ace Bailey Shines In First Preseason With Utah Jazz
Oct 21, 2025, 7:18 PM | Updated: Oct 22, 2025, 9:47 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The NBA preseason is in the rearview mirror, and the Utah Jazz are headed full-throttle into the 2025-26 NBA regular season with a lot to prove.
Several members of Utah’s young core shone brightly in the preseason, giving the fan base reason to dream amid a years-long rebuild in Salt Lake City.
Jazz Mailbag: In An Expansion Draft, Who Would Jazz Protect?
Jazz Preseason Film Study 📖
Read the full story here | https://t.co/SgTVz9xzmp#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/1W6ccWGKzl
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 21, 2025
It’s challenging to pinpoint the most crucial long-term storyline, given the numerous positives that have emerged in the first four games.
The tantalizing talent and length of rookie wing Ace Bailey. The promising development of third-year guard Keyonte George. Third-year forward Brice Sensabaugh’s continued sharp-shooting development. Or simply a healthy Taylor Hendricks playing meaningful minutes after a devastating leg injury cost him all but three games last season.
RELATED: Previewing Eight Utah Jazz Players 22 Years Old or Younger
The @utahjazz are going all-in on their next generation — 8 players under 22, a crowded rotation, and a coach with 240 minutes to divide.
Ace Bailey, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Brice Sensabaugh… who will rise, and who will sit?#takenote https://t.co/QP2pMnMunY
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 17, 2025
Across the board, young players on the roster appear stronger and better conditioned than in years past.
Hendricks has transformed his physique while rehabbing, adding upper-body strength and a base designed to withstand the pounding of an NBA season. George is noticeably stronger and looks comfortable both on and off the basketball court. Sensabaugh is nearly unrecognizable from the rookie who came to town in 2023.
The bottom line is that, no matter the result of any individual game, fans will have more than enough reason to watch the Jazz in the upcoming season.
RELATED STORIES
Forward – Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State, 2023)
21 years old | Year 3
Brice Sensabaugh is a certified scorer from all levels. After slowly acclimating to the league in his first two years, the Ohio State product is poised for a breakout in year three. He led Utah with 22 points per game in the preseason, hitting 44 percent of his three-point attempts and 55 percent overall.
He appears to have transformed his body, dropping weight and improving his athleticism. Sensabaugh will get every chance to perform this season as the Jazz look to identify their future core.
RELATED: Third-Year Players Thrive In Jazz Preseason Opener
Brice Sensabaugh preseason buckets ⬇️
21yo is averaging 22.0 PPG on 74.7% TS (55/44/93) in 24.3 MPG through 3 games pic.twitter.com/JJHviACpYH
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) October 14, 2025
Watch Sensabaugh shoot the cowhide globe from deep, and it’s clear he has a premier NBA skill. The question about the 6’6 forward has and will always be about his defense. If the former first-round pick is willing to commit increased effort and intensity on the other end of the floor, Sensabaugh is ticketed to be a rotation player in the league for a long time.
Guard – Keyonte George (Baylor, 2023)
21 years old | Year 3
The winner of the offseason, Keyonte George, enters a make-or-break third season looking like a different player. He has added strength, and the early returns on his ball handling are promising, especially after heavy pressure caused him fits early in his career.
Keyonte George was really floating on this block. 🤯
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 17, 2025
George averaged 12.3 points, a team-high 6.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in 25 minutes, but his efficiency is the real story. He shot 46.7 percent from the field, a far cry from his 39.1 career shooting percentage.
The former Baylor Bear figures to get the first crack at the starting point guard job, but it won’t be a surprise if he plays significant minutes off the ball in lineups with Walt Clayton Jr. or Isaiah Collier when healthy.
Forward – Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida, 2023)
21 years old | Year 3
The mere fact that Taylor Hendricks is playing high-level basketball right now is a minor miracle. Hendricks has been solid, if unspectacular, in his three games, averaging nearly 30 minutes a night. He appears to be playing without hesitation, an essential step in his injury recovery.
EVERY TAYLOR HENDRICKS MADE FIELD GOAL OF THE PRE-SEASON SO FAR
It’s so good to have him back 😊 pic.twitter.com/513l6JsWQ5
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) October 13, 2025
Hendricks added significant strength while out, and his bulked-up frame makes him the perfect candidate as a three-and-D power forward in today’s NBA. He is a candidate to get the opening night start at the position, and will have every opportunity to showcase why he was the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Wing – Cody Williams (Colorado, 2024)
20 years old | Year 2
Add Cody Williams to the list of players who are noticeably stronger after an offseason of work. Williams’ lack of NBA-level strength left him looking out of his depth as a rookie. He seemed much more comfortable in nearly 22 minutes a night of preseason play.
RELATED: What Should Utah Jazz Fans Expect From Renovated Delta Center?
The idea of Williams spending significant time with the Utah Stars, the Jazz’s G-League affiliate, is appealing, as the need for development likely outweighs what he can learn and contribute in the NBA at this point in his career.
It would not be surprising to see Williams as the odd man out of Will Hardy’s rotation to start the season.
Guard – Isaiah Collier (USC, 2024)
21 years old | Year 2
A hamstring injury cost Collier the entire preseason, and it appears the injury will keep him out into the regular season.
The @utahjazz injury report for game one against the @LAClippers:
OUT – Isaiah Collier (Right Hamstring Strain)
OUT – Georges Niang (Left Foot, Fourth Metatarsal Stress Reaction)
QUESTIONABLE – Ace Bailey (Illness)#TakeNote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 21, 2025
CBS Sports is reporting that Collier will be re-evaluated in one week.
Forward/Center – Kyle Filipowski
21 years old | Year 2
A low back injury limited Filipowski to one preseason game. He didn’t look particularly effective in his return, which is no surprise given the time he missed in training camp. A slow start in the preseason is no reason to be concerned with how the former Duke Blue Devil will acclimate in year two.
Will Hardy ahead of tonight's preseason home opener for the @utahjazz against the @dallasmavs.
– What to expect from Kyle Filipowski
– Kevin Love's early impact
– What he's seen from Hendricks and Williams
– What he wants to see with the added team size#takenote pic.twitter.com/7bkESaTlr2— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 13, 2025
It will be interesting to see where Filipowski begins the season in the rotation, if at all. Expect him to come off the bench early in the year and add offensive punch to the second unit.
Wing – Ace Bailey (Rutgers, 2025)
19 years old | Rookie
Knee tendonitis forced Bailey out of the third preseason game against Dallas and caused him to miss the final game vs. Portland. When the rookie was on the floor, his fluidity and athleticism popped off the screen. Bailey showed an innate ability to get his shot off, a necessary skill at the NBA level.
The Rutgers product scored 16 points per game on nearly 59 percent shooting and 41.7 percent from deep. He hasn’t looked overwhelmed or out of his element while facing NBA defenders.
RELATED: Ace Bailey To Miss Final Utah Jazz Preseason Game
Ace Bailey showed future star potential in his first 3 NBA preseason games
48 PTS
14 REB (5 OREB)
4 AST (4 TOV)
58.8 FG%
41.7 3P%
5 STL
1 BLKJazz finally got a demon on the wing 😈 pic.twitter.com/TwUtAttxIY
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) October 19, 2025
Likely a two-guard to begin his career while he adds strength to his frame, Bailey gave the franchise reason to believe they may have finally found a potential superstar piece to build around.
Head coach Will Hardy said that Bailey is trending toward playing in the season-opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Guard – Walt Clayton Jr. (Florida, 2025)
22 years old | Rookie
The oldest of the group, Clayton Jr’s experience running an offense is evident in his early minutes with the Jazz. He is adjusting well to the NBA pace, while his floor leadership is far ahead of a regular mid-first-round pick.
He averaged 11.7 points on 34.5 percent shooting, five assists, and 1.3 steals in three preseason games.
A hamstring injury to Isaiah Collier likely opens the door for Clayton Jr. to get immediate time in the regular rotation. If he cashes in on the opportunity, there’s no guarantee Collier will have a rotation spot when he returns.
Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports
The Jazz begin the 2025-26 regular season at home against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, October 22. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. MT.
All Jazz games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) occasionally broadcasts Jazz games.
Utah Jazz fans can watch the team’s games next season for free over the air on KJZZ TV and can stream the games through a paid streaming-based platform on the team’s website. KJZZ is currently broadcast on channel 14.1.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10- 12 p.m. with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
