Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey has never lacked confidence—and it turns out, he’s had big dreams since childhood. A resurfaced video from 2016 shows a then-nine-year-old Bailey boldly declaring his NBA destiny:
“I see myself 20 years old, with six gold rings and myself in the NBA.”
The clip, shared recently by GSE Worldwide in a draft day recap video on Instagram, has sparked conversation not just for its charm, but for the glimpse it offers into Bailey’s long-held belief in himself.
Of course, few expect a child’s prediction to come true with pinpoint accuracy. But this kind of early self-belief—sometimes called “delusional confidence”—is often cited as a common thread among elite athletes. Whether it’s LeBron James’ mother buying him a hoop at age two or Kobe Bryant picking up a ball at three, greatness often starts with an unwavering belief and a supportive environment.
Bailey, now 18, is already behind schedule on that “six rings by 20” goal—and with the Jazz in rebuilding mode, the timeline seems far-fetched. But his journey so far is impressive. Before the 2025 NBA Draft, Bailey was confident enough in his standing that he declined workouts with multiple teams—including the Jazz. Ironically, Utah selected him anyway, and the emotional moment nearly brought him to tears.
While initial reports speculated he might skip training camp, Bailey ultimately committed to the team and made his Summer League debut in Salt Lake City. He appeared in two games, averaging 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, before sitting out the Las Vegas portion due to a hip injury.
His college stats at Rutgers were equally promising: 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, shooting 46% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range.
Though winning six NBA titles by age 20 is now a mathematical impossibility, Bailey’s ceiling remains a fascinating question. Can he one day be the centerpiece of a championship team? Can he turn his childhood dream into something even greater?
Only time will tell—but one thing’s for sure: Ace Bailey has always believed he’s built for greatness.
