Jacey Bailey Working Her Way Up the Record Books

BY CODY BASHORE

Jacey Bailey only needed two years to break into Northern Arizona University’s record book.

Among the best shooters in NAU program history, Bailey is already among the top 10 for 3-pointers made, 3-pointers attempted and 3-pointers made per game. With 790 points, the senior is closing in on becoming NAU’s 19th member of the 1,000-point club after hitting 70 3-pointers last season.

Though the production now speaks for itself, Bailey’s development and confidence as a shooter only came recently.

“People had to tell me, like, ‘Jacey, you’re a shooter.’ So it took a lot of words of encouragement to finally understand that,” Bailey said. “But I guess it’s just developed over time.”

Beginning her college career at Florida Atlantic, Bailey arrived in the United States thousands of miles away from her home of Burnaby, British Columbia. While she enjoyed her time in Florida, Bailey did miss seeing her family at games, even if it would be just an occasional thing.

“I wasn’t home sick, so deciding to transfer wasn’t because of that,” Bailey said. “Just like the ability for (my family) to watch was definitely a plus when I transferred here. The reason I went there was more of that I really meshed with the coaching staff. And on the visit, it was Florida. I was on the beach, I just couldn’t say no.”

With a desire to get back to the West Coast, Bailey found a connection to NAU through assistant coach Kellee Barney and one of her coaches at FAU. A visit to Flagstaff, and knowing some of the Big Sky Conference’s members such as Portland State and Eastern Washington offered easier trips from Canada, were all Bailey needed to make her decision.

Playing 17.8 minutes per game for the Owls in 2016-17, Bailey averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds across 29 games and 15 starts. Just about 26% of her shots came from behind the arc at FAU, with Bailey’s 3-point shooting picking up once she returned to the court.

“I’m just embracing what I’m going to have to do this year, because I think it’s going to be a totally different year.”

Sitting out Loree Payne’s first season in Flagstaff due to the NCAA’s transfer rules, Bailey did get the opportunity to play for the Canadian Developmental National Team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Having previously played for the British Columbia provincial team for the Canadian National Tournament, Bailey played in all five games of the Commonwealth Games in her National Team debut.

Returning to the court in the NCAA during the 2018-19 season, Bailey attempted 157 3s before upping the total to 197 last season. With 44.8% and 49% of her shots coming from 3-point range as a Lumberjack, Bailey’s versatility has been crucial to NAU’s improvement the past two years.

“Last year was pretty great. I think we all really meshed together, all the people that stepped on the court. I really enjoyed it, especially playing with Nina (Radford),” Bailey said. “I just think both of us, we’re similar in the sense that we’re versatile. She can play the guard, she can also play down low. And same for me.” With Nina Radford debuting for the Lumberjacks last season, NAU finished 2019-20 with 212 3-pointers made and 607 3-pointers made. Both totals finished as the second-most in school history, with Radford and Bailey responsible for 119 and 317 combined respectively.

As both players return for the Lumberjacks this season, Bailey said she expects even more freedom for the returners within Payne’s system.

“It was kind of similar to the style we played back at FAU, especially like this year. She’s leading towards less plays and more of just playing basketball. I think that’s the type of environment I flourish in,” Bailey said.

With her production shooting from outside already among NAU’s best in history, more freedom could lead to Bailey moving toward the top of multiple all-time rankings.

Entering the season 8th in both 3-pointers made (120) and 3s attempted (354), Bailey sits 73 makes away from tying the program’s record. While she’s 271 attempts away from the top spot on the career list, Bailey’s first two season totals landed her on the single-season attempts list twice.

Much of NAU’s frontcourt depth graduated following last season, and Bailey’s versatility might help keep her on the court and in a variety of positions based on the team’s need as the year goes on.

Payne previously mentioned Bailey could even see time at the 5 given her ability to rebound and the matchup advantage she can create against others.

“I’m just embracing what I’m going to have to do this year, because I think it’s going to be a totally different year,” Bailey said. “The roles are definitely going to change for everyone on the team, and it’s just about stepping into your role and what the coaches are asking.”

Averaging 5.2 rebounds in her first year, and improving to 6.5 last year, Bailey’s work on the boards through two years has been in part to taking advantage of matchups.

“It is just some subconscious thing that just tells me to go rebound, especially because there’s a matchup advantage in one way or another. Either I’ll be quicker than them or taller than them,” Bailey said. “I do need to be reminded sometimes to go into rebound, as is almost everyone.”