Ace Bailey is drafted by the Utah Jazz
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Ace Bailey was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night by the Utah Jazz. It was a landing spot he did not foresee coming.
The Rutgers star declined an invite to workout with the Jazz prior to the selection process. He didn’t look happy upon hearing his name called.
ace bailey looks like hes about to cry after being drafted by the jazz 💔😭 pic.twitter.com/SOi79mBVXK
— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) June 26, 2025
Bailey was a wildcard in this year’s event. He was considered a Top 3 talent but red flags in the pre-draft process led many to project a draft day tumble.
The guard measured much smaller than anticipated at the NBA Combine. He then refused to work out for Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Utah – the teams owning picks 3-5.
He’d reportedly been holding out for Washington, New Orleans, or Brooklyn. The Jazz picked him anyway.
“This was not one of his preferred destinations… he was hoping to get to either Washington, New Orleans or Brooklyn.”
Jonathan Givony on the Jazz taking Ace Bailey with the 5th pick in the NBA Draft.
The Rutgers star did not look too happy 😬pic.twitter.com/IQJ1n25mw6 https://t.co/wublwXAemx
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 26, 2025
While he may be a good “fit” in Utah, he seemed less than thrilled with heading out west.
Ace Bailey did not want to go to the Utah Jazz.
He refused an invite to work out for the franchise earlier in the offseason.
According to [NBA Draft insider Jake] Fischer, “numerous teams are operating under the belief that Bailey did not hold an official visit with any team in the lottery and that his advisers want to steer him to a team that can offer a healthy shot profile and on-ball creation opportunities.”
Washington, a desired landing spot, had the No. 6 pick. They wouldn’t get the opportunity to draft him.
Utah didn’t let Ace Bailey get out of the Top 5. Despite the initial reaction, the guard seemed to come to terms with his future when speaking with the media.
“It’s a blessing,” Bailey said. “The little kid in me is smiling hard right now because I know the hard work, the sacrifices, the blood, the sweat, and the tears, not just from me, but that my family put into this… I’m just blessed to be here.”
He also said he had “no idea” the Jazz were interested. His workout denial played a part, though Utah’s decision will bank him a few extra million dollars given his draft slot. Now, he’ll put the supposed disappointment behind him and look ahead to his NBA future.