Jason Terry, a seasoned NBA veteran and current assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, draws a strong comparison between Ace Bailey’s shooting potential and that of Hall of Famer Ray Allen. Terry, renowned for his own sharpshooting in a 19-year NBA career, is closely monitoring Bailey’s progress during the 2025-26 season and foresees a bright future for the young forward with the Jazz.
Background on Jason Terry and Ace Bailey’s Early Career
During his NBA tenure, Terry was known for his scoring efficiency, achieving a career 38.0% three-point shooting average and peaking at 43.8% during the 2006-07 season with the Dallas Mavericks, when they recorded the league’s best 67-15 record. Transitioning into coaching, Terry began working with the Utah Jazz during the 2022-23 season, where he now mentors emerging talents including rookie Ace Bailey.
Bailey, standing 6-foot-9, was picked fifth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after a strong freshman season at Rutgers, where he averaged 17.6 points per game. In his first NBA season, Bailey has become a significant contributor for the Jazz, participating in 49 games with 38 starts and averaging 11.7 points alongside 3.9 rebounds.
Terry’s Comparison to Ray Allen and Bailey’s Shooting Strengths
Terry praises Bailey’s quick release, emphasizing the young player’s athleticism and shooting mechanics that remind him of Ray Allen—a player widely considered one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history.
“There’s no limit for Ace Bailey, because he’s a blank canvas,”
Terry said.
“He’s only 19 years old. He’s coming in. He’s raw, but he has supreme athleticism and his ability to shoot — he can be one of the great shooters from long range, when it’s all said and done. He has a quick release, and he gets it off. He gets it off quick, kind of like a Ray Allen type release. He doesn’t jump as high. But as far as getting that shot off, he gets it off pretty quick.”
Currently, Bailey converts 45.0% of his overall shots and 34.0% of his three-point attempts. Terry specifically highlighted Bailey’s effectiveness in shooting after coming off pin-down screens and his potential to excel in transition three-point opportunities, areas expected to become more integral to his game.
Bailey’s Role in Utah’s Rebuilding Phase
Although Bailey has ample room for growth before reaching elite status akin to Ray Allen, he is already carving out a meaningful role as a young player in Utah’s ongoing rebuilding project. At just 19 years old, he ranks fourth in scoring and fifth in three-pointers made for the Jazz this season. With only one collegiate year behind him, Bailey benefits from ample playing time and developmental opportunities on a team currently rebuilding after posting the NBA’s worst record last year.
The Jazz, holding an 18-38 record midway through this season, sit 13th in the competitive Western Conference. Terry’s mentorship and Bailey’s potential make them central figures in Utah’s effort to improve in the coming years.
Looking Ahead to Bailey’s Future Shooting Impact
Bailey’s growing confidence and shooting ability could significantly enhance Utah’s offensive options. Given his physical tools and quick release, experts like Jason Terry see few limits on his development as a top-tier three-point shooter. As Utah continues to focus on cultivating young talent, Bailey’s trajectory could shape both his own career and the team’s rebuilding success.
