All eyes on Ace Bailey: Can Utah’s new rookie live up to the hype?

When the Utah Jazz announced that they had selected Rutgers star Ace Bailey with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the basketball world paused. Here was a player who had a lot of physical gifts and big potential, but also a very unusual pre-draft journey with many unanswered behind the scenes questions, the rookie forward went to Utah between balancing excitement with the challenge developing his talent quickly while adapting to the NBA game.  

Bailey, who rose from the Rutgers Scarlet Knights after one college season, averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds, making him one of the top prospects in the 2025 draft. Regardless of his amazing talents, his draft process was iffy, he didn’t work out publicly for many teams, even refusing a work out with the Philadelphia 76ers which were originally going to draft him as the 3^rd pick, his representatives told at least one top five team he wouldn’t reply if selected, and when Utah finally picked him at No. 5, he admitted he “had no idea” they planned to take him.  

Bailey’s basketball journey started early. Born August 13, 2006 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he rose through good seasons at Boyd-Buchanan and then at McEachern High School in Georgia which many other great players played at aswell such as Sharife Cooper. In high school he showed impressive all-around numbers and was honored as a McDonald’s All-American, competing in the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. 

He signed with Rutgers, rejecting some of the big traditional powerhouses, and in his freshman season put up solid numbers for a top prospect: averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. His athleticism, size (listed at 6’9”), and scoring ability made him one of the most skilled forwards in the draft. 

But that promising path took a twist in the months leading to the draft. Despite his status as a top prospect, Bailey became one of the most watched players as he approached draft night. For one, his pre-draft workouts were very little: he reportedly canceled a scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers and did not meet with several of the teams picking early. More seriously, his representatives allegedly told one top five team he would not report if picked by them. 

Then on draft night June 25, 2025, Utah selected Bailey with the fifth overall pick—despite not being one of his preferred landing spots. Bailey admitted he was unaware of Utah’s interest.  

The extra attention brought criticism from veteran players, like Paul George of the Sixers, who called him out for skipping workouts. Meanwhile the Jazz, such as president of basketball operations Austin Ainley said they liked Bailey as a fit for Utah. 

Despite the off-court noise, Bailey’s on-court skills are hard to ignore. His standing reach is 8’11”, wingspan 7’0.5”, max vertical 34.5 inches. As a scoring forward he can create, shoot, rebound and defend at a high level for his age. CBS Sports analysts called him “one of the best shot-creators in the draft,” while noting the Jazz were making a high-ceiling pick. If he reaches his ceiling, he could be a good player for Utah in the coming years. 

The fit question is the most important: Does Bailey’s game align with Utah’s timeline, culture and roster? Utah picked Bailey alongside another rookie, Walter Clayton Jr, showing that the Utah Jazz head office is deciding to build up their team with young rookies. 

On one hand: Utah needs athletic wings who can score and defend. Bailey gives them that. On the other: he’s young, raw in playmaking and decision-making, and the fact he didn’t work out or show full cooperation with pre-draft teams raises questions about his attitude and readiness for the league. Analysts described his pick as “risky.” 

He arrives with a bit of a strike against him, reports he may not want to be in Utah, or at least preferred other teams. For now, Utah has the leverage having drafted him and they’ve reported he will join the team. 

With his rookie season about to begin, Ace Bailey’s journey is just getting started. Whether he becomes a star for Utah or can’t perform at the next level, Ace Bailey is a top prospect. 

Cover Image: SLAM HS