Former Rutgers Basketball Star Ace Bailey has been selected fifth overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2025 NBA Draft! He joins teammate Dylan Harper, who went No.2 overall to the San Antonio Spurs, as the two Scarlet Knights selected in the draft. This is the first time since 1985 that two Rutgers basketball players were selected in the same draft.
Bailey left a mark during his one season at Rutgers. The 6-foot-7, 203-pound wing appeared in 29 games during the season, averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, shot 46% from the field, and shot 34% from three. He also scored 20+ points 10 times last season and scored 30+ points three times.
His performance during the season earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten Third Team (Media), All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (Coaches), and the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
Bailey had an interesting draft process, to say the least. Many expected him to be taken at No.3 overall because he was widely viewed as the third best player in the draft. The 76ers ultimately passed on Bailey to draft on need rather than talent. They could also have passed on Bailey because he declined to work out with the team privately. Either way, Bailey still went in the top 5.
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