One of the more polarizing prospects of the 2025 class is on his way to Utah.
The Jazz have selected Rutgers wing prospect Ace Bailey fifth overall at the 2025 NBA Draft in Brooklyn on Wednesday.
Bailey, 18, had an up-and-down freshman season at Rutgers. While he averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks, his shot-selection came under fire from experts, with many prodding at his tendency to take contested jump-shots from the mid-range.
The six-foot-10 wing shot 46.0 per cent from the field and 34.6 per cent from three-point range on only 4.5 attempts per game. He also had a less-than-ideal 51.4 effective field goal percentage and 53.6 true shooting percentage.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported earlier in June that Bailey’s draft stock had fallen after being unwilling to make draft visits to several teams, even cancelling a visit with the Philadelphia 76ers last month, the night before it was meant to happen. Givony added that Bailey believes he’s a top-three player in the draft and seeks a “pathway to stardom.”
He’ll now try to walk that path in Utah after falling a couple of spots down the board.
He’s the second Scarlet Knights player selected within the top 10 of the NBA Draft after guard Dylan Harper.
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