What We Did, Didn’t Learn At Salt Lake City Summer League
Jul 10, 2025, 2:35 PM | Updated: 2:45 pm
Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey (19) (Credit: Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
(Credit: Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The 2025 Salt Lake City Summer League has concluded, offering insights into the upcoming Utah Jazz season.
While some players shone, others struggled, leaving questions unanswered as the team prepares to head to Vegas.
Related: Utah Jazz Vegas Summer League Schedule
What Did We Learn At Salt Lake City Summer League?
Ace Bailey Was Worthy Of Top 5 Pick
Though he made only two appearances in Salt Lake City, Ace Bailey made it clear he deserved to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Rutgers product’s size and athleticism stood out, even among older competition, and his game two performance offered a tantalizing look at his potential.
Ace Bailey reminded everyone watching Monday night why he was universally regarded as a premier talent in the 2025 NBA Draft. #TakeNote https://t.co/8rRSdlXTbl
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 8, 2025
After an inefficient 3-13 shooting performance in his debut, Bailey bounced back against the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring 17 points on 7-14 shooting, displaying deft shooting touch, and explosive dunks at the rim.
Most impressive, however, was the 18-year-old’s motor, especially on the glass where he averaged seven rebounds in 30 minutes per game.
Walt Clayton Jr. Has Knack For Big Shots
Rookie Walt Clayton Jr. didn’t have a particularly strong shooting performance, connecting on 9-26 (34 percent) of his field goal attempts, including 7-19 from the three-point line (36 percent).
But, he shot well when it mattered most.
Related: Walt Clayton Jr. Scores 20 To Move Jazz To 3-0
Clayton Jr. made clutch threes in the fourth quarter of each game in the summer league, leading the Jazz to a perfect 3-0 record.
The 18th overall pick must learn how to finish in the arc, shooting just 2-7 on two-point attempts, but his late-game shotmaking was a plus.
Cody Williams Is More Aggressive
Cody Williams was far too timid in his rookie season, focusing more on making the correct play, rather than taking what the defense was giving him.
The second-year wing was more aggressive in his first three summer league games, taking contested threes, and attacking the paint off the dribble.
Williams averaged 11.6 points per game in Salt Lake City, while shooting 42 percent from the floor.
Brice Sensabaugh Is An Elite Shooter
Like Bailey, Brice Sensabaugh only played in the Jazz’s first two games, but dominated in the minutes he was on the floor.
The third-year guard scored 56 points in his 54 total minutes, while shooting a blistering 11-17 from the three-point line.
Brice Sensabaugh on what he hopes to take from Summer League. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/ZnyNyw63tu
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 8, 2025
Sensabaugh struggled with turnovers, committing five giveaways in each of his appearances, and will have to be more disciplined if he wants to be more than a shooting specialist in the NBA.
But at worst, the Ohio State product is a deadly floor spacer, and should be a fixture for the Jazz offensively next season.
What Didn’t We Learn At Salt Lake City Summer League
Do The Jazz Have A Starting Point Guard?
Isaiah Collier’s best game came in Tuesday’s finale, scoring eight points and dishing out six assists, but still shot just 3-11 from the floor, including 2-10 inside the arc.
The guard had a record-breaking rookie season with the Jazz, but continued to be plagued by poor shooting numbers and turnovers in his second summer league in Utah.
Through five summer league quarters, I would say the Jazz’s starting point guard battle should be WIDE open.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 8, 2025
Clayton Jr. doesn’t have Collier’s natural playmaking ability, but has a definite edge as a shooter.
Keyonte George didn’t play in summer league, but his combination of shooting and playmaking could make him the frontrunner to lead the offense entering the preseason.
Regardless, no young player on the Jazz roster has a stranglehold on the position, and the opening night starter remains a mystery.
Is Flip A Four Or A Five?
Kyle Filipowski was the Jazz’s most refined player at summer league averaging 17 points and 11.3 rebounds, displaying an impressive combination of three-point shooting and finishing at the rim.
While the second-year big man was tasked with playing center in summer league, his offensive versatility and poor rim protection numbers may require him to play power forward in the NBA.
Related: John Collins Traded To Clippers In Three-Team Deal
“The coaches have been wanting me to work on the four position more this summer as well, so I would expect to be playing a little bit of both,” Filipowski said. “In terms of balance between the two, I’m not sure.”
Wherever he lands, expect Filipowski to be a mainstay in the team’s frontcourt as a sophomore.
Is Cody Williams Ready For The NBA?
Though Williams was more aggressive in his second summer league, he still doesn’t have the physique necessary to bang with the biggest players on the floor.
The wing recorded just seven rebounds and three assists in his three Salt Lake City appearances, and wasn’t on the floor late in most games.
Cody Williams intensity has been excellent on both ends, but right now he’s more impactful on D.
Weight remains his biggest hurdle, but his length and three-point shooting have been on display.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 6, 2025
Williams’ body will improve in time, and with so much youth on the roster, the Jazz can afford to be patient with his development.
The question for Williams in year two is whether that development will come in the NBA, or with extended opportunities in the G League.
What To Expect From Tonje, Luis
Due to ankle and knee injuries, the Jazz were unable to see second-round pick John Tonje, or two-way guard RJ Luis take the floor at the Huntsman Center.
Tonje may be available as soon as Friday when the Jazz open Vegas Summer League play, while the team hopes Luis might be ready later in the tournament.
Regardless, every minute on the floor is critical for two players trying to prove they belong in the NBA, and missing games does nothing to help their development.
Utah Jazz 2025 Vegas Summer League Schedule
Fri: 7/11 – Jazz vs. Hornets – 5 p.m. ESPN
un: 7/13 – Jazz vs. Warriors – 8 p.m. ESPN2
Mon: 7/14 – Jazz vs. Spurs – 6:30 p.m. NBATV
Wed: 7/16 – Jazz vs. Wizards – 8 p.m. ESPN
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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.
