brighton Midfielder Diego Gomez has arrived in Paraguay with confidence after his recent injury and the player is already setting ambitious targets ahead of the World Cup.

The 21-year-old returned to join the Paraguay national team camp this week after growing optimism over his fitness status.

Gomez had caused concern after suffering a knee problem against Tottenham, but the latest signs are pointing in a positive direction.

As we recently coveredBoth Brighton and the player’s camp have become relaxed about the situation. Gomez herself has now publicly reinforced that message.

His performances this season have already sparked noise of a transfer to the Premier League. Manchester City have been linked in the past, while Paraguayan reports continue to insist that Elite clubs are keeping a close watch on them.

However, for now Gomez’s focus is entirely on Paraguay.

Gomez sends ambitious message

Silvio Pettirossi speaking after arriving at the airport, as relayed by South American outlet D10Diego Gomez made it clear he is heading into the World Cup with major ambitions.

“Any player dreams of playing in the World Cup. At the moment I am thinking about training and working every day to face each match in the best possible way.”

However, he then went much further when discussing Paraguay’s mentality heading into the tournament.

“We are here to become champions, that’s our mentality. We have to go step by step, think about each training session and each match. It’s true that we have a tough group. But we need to think about what’s going to happen and leave everything on the field.”

This confidence reflects Paraguay’s growing confidence in the current generation. Gomez is being seen as one of the leaders of that group despite his age.

The fear of getting hurt is going away

Diego Gomez also directly addressed injury concerns and admitted that the opening moment created real fear.

“It was scary. I thought it was going to be something bad, but it wasn’t serious.”

The Brighton midfielder then confirmed that he is already feeling completely fine.

“I’m already at 100% and I’m getting minutes again so I can be in good shape for the World Cup.”

This will also be welcome news for Brighton. And there is already a feeling that the World Cup could become another big turning point in his career.

If Paraguay perform well and Gomez maintains his current trajectory, Brighton’s focus on the midfielder is likely to increase further.

armory And Barcelona are keen to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofen in the summer.

The striker’s rapid development in the Bundesliga squad has led to interest from Arsenal, Barcelona and several other clubs.

Bayer Leverkusen signed him from second division Spanish side Albacete Balompié after activating his €5m release clause in July 2025.

The move has worked out well for both sides as he has performed well this season, scoring seven goals and nine assists.

His Bundesliga statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 29
• Start: 12
• Total minutes: 1,269
• Target: 5
• Assist: 4
• Expected target: 6.80
• Expected Support: 1.11
• Big chances made: 4
• Big chances missed: 11

Earlier this year, Sport Witness broadcast news Newcastle United have strong interest in the 19-year-old.

Arsenal and Barcelona ahead

Africa Foot Now reports that Christian Kofen’s ‘remarkable rise’ at Bayer Leverkusen has already attracted the attention of several clubs.

These include Newcastle United, Chelsea, Brentford and Bayern Munich and these clubs have made initial contact to gather information about signing him.

However, Arsenal and Barcelona are in ‘pole position’ as the report says both clubs are ‘making more concrete moves’.

There has been no explanation as to what concrete steps the Gunners and La Liga winners have taken so far. However, both teams appear to be ahead of other clubs in the race to sign the Cameroon international.

Bayer Leverkusen are in control of the situation and would be ‘particularly receptive to a higher financial offer’, without mentioning any figures. Having invested €5m to sign him, this allows them to make huge profits.

On March 31, Khel Witness Covered claims from Germany Bayer Leverkusen have set their sights on Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi. A move would be considered if Kofane leaves.

Contract, price and agent information

The Cameroonian’s contract runs until 2029, and transfer market He is now valued at €40 million, the highest valuation of his career.

AfroSport, an agency owned by agent Eric DePaolo, represents Christian Kofen.

If the Bayer Leverkusen frontman were to move to the Emirates, he would initially have to settle for a backup role at Arsenal.

The New York Yankees lost to the division rival Baltimore Orioles today, also dropping the series. But the worst news was that ace Max Fried was out in his debut after throwing only 61 pitches. He was initially diagnosed with pain in the back of his left elbow. Fried will undergo imaging in New York on Thursday to determine the severity of the problem.

That being said, Fried isn’t too worried. He publicly stated that he would love to make his next debut but is not sure that will happen. It’s possible he’ll lose more time than that. More will be known after examination by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmed on Thursday.

Fried has struggled with his command for most of 2026. He still managed to be an effective starter, posting a 3.21 ERA in 61 2/3 innings. But Fried has only 50 strikeouts in that many innings. It’s not like that He Unusual for the Southeast. He was never a true strikeout pitcher, never reaching the 200-plus strikeout mark in his 10-year career.

In May, Fried gave up 11 runs in just 14 1/3 innings. At least it can be said that this has been a difficult period. It’s possible that the IL stint could help him bounce back from his recent tough times. But the Yanks really can’t afford to lose any positions right now. Although they are in second place in the American League East with a strong 27–17 record, New York has a 4–6 record in their last ten games. This includes a recent road trip in which they went 1-5. The Yankees need to bounce back, and losing Fried won’t help.

The return of Rodan…and possibly Cole?

The good news for New York is that they don’t have to look far to find rotation help. With Carlos Rodon making his 2026 debut on Sunday, the Yankees have an immediate option until Fried returns. Rodon did not pitch particularly well in his debut against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings, but was mostly solid. His biggest problems were command, struggling to find the zone and walking five batters.

Rodon has emerged as a front-line rotation option for New York over the past two years. The lefty has a 3.50 ERA since 2024-25 (370.1 IP). It has been a rollercoaster career for the veteran player, who has battled injuries for most of his 12-year career. Now that Rodon is finally back, he will need to become a dominant pitcher if the Yanks hope to secure the AL East.

Gerrit Cole, on the other hand, is still in rehabilitation after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. His rehab has been solid, recording a 5.32 ERA (23.2 IP) during his time in New York’s minor league system. Cole will reportedly make his return in late May or early June, although his timeline has changed several times, so this is subject to change.

Cole is a famous pitcher in MLB. He has posted a 3.18 ERA and had 2,251 strikeouts over his long career (1,954.0 IP). Due to injury he has not competed in major competitions since 2024, but has enjoyed success in recent years despite his age. If Cole returns soon, it would be a big boost for the Yankees’ rotation.

The Washington Wizards were victorious 133-110 against the Utah Jazz in the meeting between the two teams in the Cellar at the Delta Center on Wednesday.

The Jazz suffered their seventh loss in eight games, while the Wizards lost 16 games. Washington took a huge lead of 72–45 at halftime and never looked back.

If there was a ray of hope for the Jazz, Ace Bailey delivered another all-around performance with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. However, he struggled from the field, going 7 of 19, including 1 of 6 shots from long range.

Still, Utah coach Will Hardy decided to focus on the positives, and praised the 19-year-old rookie for accepting the pressure. top choice Amid their depleting roster.

“Ace is taking on more responsibility for a longer period of time in the game. I think it’s really good for him to take so much time off. I don’t want him to feel like he has to go the whole game and be like that,” Hardy said in a video posted by Sports Illustrated.

“But matchup recognition is a big part of not only the ace’s life, but also the development of our young players. When the ace has a favorable matchup, we want him to take advantage of it without turning our team into a one-on-one team.”

Will Hardy breaks down how Ace Bailey has handled the scoring options while the Jazz have dealt with injuries:

🗣️”Ace is taking on more responsibility longer in the game. I think it’s really good for him to get so much time…” pic.twitter.com/L7zbVaSScL

– Utah Jazz On SI (@JazzOnSI) 26 March 2026

Bailey, who had consistency problems at the beginning of the season, has been putting up solid numbers in recent weeks. Hardy also credited his other players for helping the fifth overall pick and putting him in favorable situations.

“It takes all five players thinking together to really make it work, but the ace recognition has definitely improved,” Hardy said.

The Jazz were severely weakened against the Wizards, as Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Kyle Filipowski, Isaiah Collier and Bryce Sensabaugh were sidelined.

Utah fell to 21–52.

The Utah Jazz face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night and Ace Bailey is once again at the center of the injury report. He is listed as questionable under the concussion protocol, putting the Jazz rookie in focus as Utah looks to snap a three-game losing streak.

Looking for momentum heading into the season finale, the Jazz enter the matchup at 20-48, No. 14 in the West. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves, 42-27, come in at No. 6 in the West, aiming to make it back-to-back wins and solidify their playoff position. Here’s everything we know from the injury report about Ace Bailey and his game status against the Timberwolves.

Ace Bailey has been a consistent contributor for the Jazz throughout the season. In 59 games, he averaged 12.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.7 minutes per game. He is shooting 44.5 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from three and 74.2 percent from the free-throw line. Even as a young unit, Bailey provides scoring balance and spacing on the wing. His ability to contribute on both ends provides Utah with additional structure, especially with several key players sidelined. When he’s available, the Jazz offense flows with more rhythm and flexibility.

Ace Bailey Injury Status vs. Timberwolves

The Jazz’s injury report makes Bailey’s availability even more important. Utah is already shorthanded. Lauri Markkanen (hip), Walker Kessler (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), and Keyonte George (hamstring) are all out. John Conchar (calf) is questionable, while Blake Hinson is out on G League assignment.

Utah’s margin for error becomes smaller with each absence as the team tries to stop its skid and find stability late in the season. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, have not yet submitted their full injury report, but they have already confirmed that Anthony Edwards will miss 1-2 weeks, which will pose a challenge as Minnesota looks to build momentum with another win.

So when the question comes whether Ace Bailey is playing tonight against the Timberwolves, the answer is uncertain. His status will depend on pregame evaluation as the Jazz remain mindful of the need to compete.

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro had a slightly awkward moment this week when an unusual glitch during Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad announcement left him briefly thinking he had been overlooked.

The Italian coach appeared to have finished reading the list when he called Vinicius Junior’s name in a tone that suggested it was the final selection. The inclination of the journalists present in the room started moving towards questions.

However, a few seconds later, Ancelotti returned to the microphone and added João Pedro’s name, admitting that he had left it in by mistake.

For a few moments, that short pause created real doubt. And for a player who has been in strong form at Chelsea, it was not an easy situation to deal with.

Speaking afterwards, João Pedro described how he felt after the announcement.

“It always feels like the first time, you always feel nervous.”he told the local outlet globo esporte. “When she finished the list, I said: ‘Oh my God, I’m left out’!”

That reaction quickly turned to confusion. Then there was relief.

“Then suddenly everyone started calling me, I didn’t understand. I went back and said: ‘Lord, I’m in, I’m in!’. It’s the same feeling from the first time I was called. I’m very happy. I’m living a very special moment in my life. Now it’s all about fighting against France and Croatia.”

Form at Chelsea explains call-up

Joao Pedro’s inclusion is not a surprise given his recent performances in England. This season, Joao Pedro has 12 goals and 6 assists for Chelsea in all competitions. The attacker has become an essential attacking outlet for the Blues.

While he prefers to operate as a central striker, he has also operated deep at times, playing effectively as a creative forward. That flexibility has helped him earn minutes and impact games in a variety of ways.

according to FBRef According to the data, he averages almost two shots on target per game and almost one important pass per match, highlighting both his finishing presence and creative contribution.

Furthermore, his work rate without the ball has improved. Chelsea have relied on forwards who can press and link up play, and Joao Pedro fits that model well.

That wider contribution probably played a part in Ancelotti’s thinking. Despite heavy competition in Brazil’s attack, players with tactical versatility stand out.

Competition and ambition

João Pedro himself admitted how difficult it is to secure a place in the team, especially with Brazil’s depth in attacking positions.

“I like to play as a No. 9, but in some games I play as a No. 10. It’s a childhood dream to score for the national team. I hope that day comes. I’ll keep working and it will happen.”

The Chelsea player also made it clear that the World Cup is a major target this season, which will determine how he approaches both club and international football.

“Each time it’s another dream closer to being achieved. Everyone who gets called up has that fire from childhood. Wearing the national team shirt is something you can’t explain. To be called up before the World Cup makes me very happy. The competition is huge in every position.”

what happens next

For Chelsea, this episode says as much about Joao Pedro’s trajectory as it does about their reaction.

He is no longer an outsider hoping for recognition. Instead, he is now expected to join the conversation between Brazilian teams, even if the competition remains fierce.

The brief confusion during the announcement only highlighted that change. His not being named seemed surprising – because, based on his current level, it probably shouldn’t have been.

If he can maintain this form in the final months of the season, Chelsea will not only look to perform in the Premier League, but also push to become a regular option for the Brazilian on the biggest stage.

🇵🇹Chelsea and Sporting CP

💬 Following claims that Bluco is taking shares in the Portuguese club, Frederico Varandas explains the current situation…https://t.co/3Z7ZXKMwYm #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 17 March 2026

Manchester United have been keeping an eye on Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas in recent weeksAccording to a report from Italy. North Macedonian emerged as a potential market opportunity ahead of the summer.

Italian Outlet tuttomerkatoweb The report adds that the Premier League side are one of the clubs monitoring the 26-year-old, who is enjoying a strong season under Antonio Conte at Napoli.

Elmas has become one of the manager’s reliable options, even though injuries in the team have forced him to adapt to different roles.

The situation is particularly interesting because of the structure of his current deal. Elmas joined Napoli from RB Leipzig with a purchase option set at €16m (£13.7m), a figure considered relatively low in the current market.

As a result, if Napoli decide to activate it and subsequently move the player, several Premier League clubs could see this situation as a potential opportunity. it was Targeted by West Ham last summerWhen he still played in Germany, but eventually chose the Italian side.

Napoli can still make a profit without their asking price being too high.

Season under Conte

Despite not always playing in his preferred role, Elmas remains a key figure in Conte’s rotation. Injuries within the team have often pushed him deeper into midfield rather than the more advanced attacking position for which he was originally signed.

He recently scored his first goal of the season against Torino, ending a long wait to get back on the scoresheet.

Speaking after that match, Elmas admitted that the moment was a relief after a difficult run without a goal.

“I missed scoring a lot and I’m sad that I wasn’t able to score. It was a difficult moment for me, and finally after many matches I found it again. I’m happy for the goal, but the most important thing was to win and bring home three points.” He said.

The midfielder also praised Conte for the confidence he has shown throughout the campaign.

“I didn’t hear what the coach said, thank you. He has always given me confidence and always believed in me. I always tried to give my best and do what he wants. I hope I did well”, He reflected.

Role adaptation and Premier League interest

Elmas also admitted that he has had to make tactical adjustments this season, especially when used as a deeper midfielder.

“When you play as a defensive midfielder you also need to defend, not just look for the goal and go forward. Even when you change roles during the match it is difficult, but I am happy that I am doing well”, He said.

With his versatility and hopefully reasonable price, it’s easy to see why Manchester United and other Premier League clubs may take notice ahead of the summer window.

Napoli’s decision on activating the purchase clause from Leipzig will likely be the first step before any potential move materialises.

The Utah Jazz have had a tough season so far, currently sitting in 14th place in the Western Conference with an 18-44 record, with some major injuries derailing their campaign. However, it has undoubtedly allowed some of the Jazz’s younger players to play without pressure, something that seems to be paying off when it comes to the No. 5 pick of the 2025 draft, Ace Bailey.

Bailey had the best performance of his career against the Washington Wizards, and produced a spectacular dunk in the third quarter, leading him to 26 points on the night. The feat was immediately acknowledged by the official NBA X account, which posted a clip of the dunk. In it, Bailey can be seen receiving the ball at the edge of the three-point zone before delivering a dominant dunk after driving to the rim.

New career high for Ace Bailey! motiv

He’s up to 26 pts after this slam…and that’s only 3q’s 👀 pic.twitter.com/3rThHNVTRI

– NBA (@NBA) 6 March 2026

“A new career-high for Ace Bailey! 🔥 After this slam he’s up to 26 pts… and that’s only 3Qs 👀,” it read acknowledging the milestone performance.

The Jazz ultimately won 122–112, with Bailey scoring 32 points and two rebounds for the night. The Jazz came into this game after seven consecutive losses and needed their young star to perform against a Wizards team that had Trae Young in the starting lineup for the first time since moving to Atlanta.

They remained comfortable throughout, starting the game with a 37-23 quarter lead and never letting up. Utah extended its lead to 18 points by the end of the first half and then maintained a comfortable lead until the end of the third half, outscoring the Wizards 35–26.

The Jazz’s overall shooting efficiency was 51.1% compared to the Wizards’ 46.8%, and Isaiah Collier also contributed 27 points. Kyle Filipowski was the third player to score at least 20, finishing with 20 points, 11 assists and three rebounds.

For the Wizards, Julian Reese top-scored with just 18 points, while Young finished with 12 points and six assists. They were two of seven players who scored in double figures on the night for the Wizards, who have now lost seven straight games.

Some new comments from New York Mets Opening Day starter Freddy Peralta show he is the player and leader this team desperately needs.

The 2025 campaign for the NY Mets was one of the most disappointing in club history. After bringing back most of the roster that reached the NLCS in 2024 and adding MVP contender Juan Soto to the mix, expectations were high. When they looked like one of the best teams in baseball in the first half, it seemed like their grand plan was coming together.

They then lost in the second half and suffered a shocking collapse in the final month of the season. Missing the playoffs and leaving fans stunned. While there has been much discussion about what went wrong, a lack of unity in the locker room seems to be one of the biggest culprits. That is why the organization took several steps with a view to improving the morale of the clubhouse.

One of them was their blockbuster trade for former Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The primary goal of the deal was to acquire a legitimate ace at the top of the rotation. However, another reason the NY Mets reportedly traded for the two-time All-Star is his reputation as an integrated and high-character player.

Peralta says NY Mets were the team he wanted to be traded to

On Wednesday, Peralta proved that with some great comments during an appearance foul zone podcast. When asked about his thoughts once he knew the trade was close, the 29-year-old revealed that he had a feeling he would be traded to the NY Mets, and “I wanted to come here. I’m not going to lie,” he said with a smile.

When players sign with the New York team, they always say the right things. However, businesses are different. So the fact that he wanted to end up in Gotham, and it brings a lot of his family together, is a huge positive sign about his mindset in his first season in the New York media pressure cooker.

Furthermore, he added some information that proves that he is very excited about becoming a mate in 2026. First, there’s the fact that he arrived early to spring training, which Peralta says he did specifically so he could bond with his new teammates.

Also, although he admits it was difficult, he gave up representing his country, the Dominican Republic, in the World Baseball Classic this month. This is because he is in the last year of his contract and debuting with a new team, so he looks to deliver another excellent season for himself and the NY Mets in 2026.

However, there are rumors that he and the team are getting closer to an extension. Either way, Peralta is already showing why he is the pitcher and leader the team desperately needed and he could be a key part of a huge turnaround this season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Newcastle United now know they will face Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 – and Joelinton has already admitted a trip to Camp Nou was on his mind.

A week before the second leg against Qarabag, tnt sports brazil The Brazilian midfielder’s comments were shared after the 6–1 win in the first leg on 18 February.

Joelinton kept his feet on the ground as he spoke to local reporter Fred Caldera. However, he did not hide a certain curiosity about the possible draw.

“No, first we have to win the game on Tuesday, okay? I think we got a very good result there, which was important. Now we have to try to play a great game in the second leg, at home, with our fans and go to the next round, because that’s our objective.”

Newcastle did exactly that. He confirmed qualification and then linked his name to Barcelona.

Camp Nou appeal clear

Joelinton was also asked about his preference between Chelsea and Barcelona. He admitted that it was difficult to make a selection considering the level of both the sides. Still, one detail stood out.

“It’s hard to choose. Two very strong teams. But I think it would be nice to play at Camp Nou. I’ve never played there, so it will be interesting.”

That wish has now been fulfilled. And for Newcastle, this tie represents a major test of their European credentials. Barcelona brings pedigree and experience. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side continue to carve out their continental identity.

Big stage moment for Joelinton

For Joelinton personally, the fixtures carry extra weight. He recently returned from an adductor injury and scored a goal against Qarabag in the second leg. Other than this, he has spoken openly About his mindset post-recovery and his World Cup ambitions with Brazil.

A good performance against Barcelona would strengthen both Newcastle’s European campaign and their international case. High-profile nights often shape the stories.

Newcastle supporters will be focused on the collective challenge ahead. However, for Joelinton, the chance to debut at the Camp Nou is clearly something he has been waiting for.

Jason Terry knows a thing or two about excelling as a shooter.

The longtime NBA legend played 19 seasons in the league, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award during the 2008–09 season. Terry finished his career as a 38.0% shooter from beyond the arc, shooting a career-high 43.8% from 3-point range during the 2006–07 season, when the Dallas Mavericks posted the league’s best record at 67–15.

Terry currently serves as an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, a role he has held since the 2022–23 season. One of the Jazz’s most promising young players is none other than Ace Bailey, who was their top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Bailey was selected with the fifth overall selection in the draft after averaging 17.6 points per game during his lone season at Rutgers.

In the first half of the season, the 6-foot-9 Bailey has played a key role in the rotation for the Jazz, averaging 11.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 49 games and 38 starts. Terry has high expectations for Bailey, even comparing him to Hall of Fame guard Ray Allen when it comes to his early release.

Allen was a 10-time All-Star who is considered one of the best 3-point shooters of all time.

Terry said in a personal interview, “There are no limits for Ace Bailey, because he’s a blank canvas.” “He’s only 19 years old. He’s coming on. He’s raw, but he has supreme athleticism and shooting ability – he could 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 over quickly, kind of like a Ray Allen type of release. He doesn’t jump that high. But as far as hitting that shot. He gets it over with pretty quickly.”

So far this season, Bailey is converting 45.0% of his attempts and 34.0% of his 3-point shots. Terry said where Bailey will excel in his 3-point attempts is “coming off screens on pin downs” and shooting 3-pointers in transition.

Bailey clearly has a long way to go before he’s in the same league as Allen, but he’s getting significant playing time as part of a rebuilding effort in Utah. The 19-year-old ranks fourth in points and fifth in 3-pointers made on the Jazz.

As noted, Bailey only spent one year in college. Plus, considering Utah is in obvious rebuilding mode, he’ll have all the time in the world to develop. At 18-38, they currently sit in 13th place in the Western Conference after posting the worst record in the NBA last season at 17-65.

The sky is definitely the limit for the 6-foot-9 small forward.

杰森·特里对于成为一名出色的射手略知一二。

这位NBA老将在联盟效力了19个赛季，并在2008-09赛季赢得了年度最佳第六人奖。特里以 38.0% 的三分球命中率结束了他的职业生涯，在 2006-07 赛季，达拉斯小牛队以 67 胜 15 负的战绩创下联盟最佳战绩，三分球命中率为职业生涯最高的 43.8%。

特里目前担任犹他爵士队的助理教练，自 2022-23 赛季以来一直担任此职务。爵士队最有前途的年轻球员之一就是艾斯·贝利，他是爵士队在 2025 年 NBA 选秀中的状元秀。贝利在罗格斯大学的唯一一个赛季中场均得到 17.6 分，并在选秀中以第五顺位被选中。

整个赛季上半程，身高6英尺9英寸的贝利在爵士队的轮换阵容中发挥了关键作用，在49场比赛和38场首发中场均得到11.7分和3.9个篮板。特里对贝利寄予厚望，甚至将他与名人堂后卫雷·阿伦的快速释放进行比较。

艾伦曾十次入选全明星，被认为是有史以来最好的三分射手之一。

“艾斯·贝利没有任何限制，因为他是一张空白的画布，”特里在一对一采访中说道。 “他只有 19 岁。他正在崭露头角。他还很稚嫩，但他拥有超强的运动能力和投篮能力——总而言之，他可以成为最伟大的远距离射手之一。他出手很快，而且投篮得手。他出手很快，有点像雷阿伦式的出手。他跳得不那么高。但就投篮而言，他投篮得很快。”

本赛季到目前为止，贝利的投篮命中率为 45.0%，三分球命中率为 34.0%。特里表示，贝利在三分出手方面最擅长的是“在掩护下突破”并在攻防转换中投三分球。

贝利显然还有很长的路要走，甚至要考虑与阿伦进入同一联盟，但作为犹他州重建工作的一部分，他正在获得关键的上场时间。这位19岁的球员在爵士队的得分榜上排名第四，三分球命中数排名第五。

话虽如此，贝利只在大学呆了一年。此外，考虑到犹他州正处于明确的重建模式，他将拥有世界上所有的时间来发展。他们目前战绩为18胜38负，排在西部第13位，上赛季他们的战绩为17胜65负，为NBA最差战绩。

对于这位身高 6 英尺 9 英寸的小前锋来说，天空无疑是他的极限。

Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey may be bursting with gravity-defying highlights in his first professional season, but even the league’s brightest young stars have to be humble eventually.

During the Rising Stars media availability at the Intuit Dome on Friday night, the 19-year-old forward finally opened up about his official “Welcome to the NBA” moment. Unsurprisingly, it featured one of the league’s most lethal scoring machines: Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker.

That moment was a simple, cold-blooded masterclass in mid-range. Bailey explained that trying to guard the four-time All-Star is a nightmare for any defender, let alone a rookie.

He said when it comes to Devin Booker, you’re dealing with a signature fadeaway shot that is almost impossible to stop without fouling. Bailey jokingly recalled thinking, “Bro, come on,” as he realized the level of difficulty he now faced every night.

NBA’s rising stars share their “Welcome to the League” moments pic.twitter.com/xZ0oxtOUMC

– Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) 14 February 2026

Bailey, who stepped in as an injury replacement for Cooper Flagg on Team Melo in the Rising Stars game, is certainly playing the way he plays. Over his last 15 games, the fifth overall pick has averaged 11.7 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 45.0 percent from the floor. He brought that momentum to the Rising Stars Tournament, leading the Carmelo Anthony-led team to a 65-60 victory over Team Austin in the semifinals.

While Dylan Harper stole the spotlight with the game-winning bucket, Bailey’s defensive versatility was on full display throughout the evening. Team Melo ultimately fell short in the championship game and lost to Team Vince 25–24 after VJ Edgecombe iced the game at the free-throw line.