Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant are among the most influential players in the NBA. Because of what both have accomplished over the years, young players who are about to enter the NBA try to imitate their playing styles.
Tatum and Durant have both established themselves as two of the best scorers currently in the league. On top of that, both have won NBA championships and have made plenty of deep playoff runs throughout their careers.
That's why young players want to play like them. Among those players is Ace Bailey, who is not only a wing like Tatum and Durant are, but is also expected to be a high lottery pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0)
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Bailey singled out the two superstar wings on Wednesday when speaking with reporters. Like many other young wings, he admitted that Tatum and Durant were among the players who have influenced him the most as a basketball player.
"Ace Bailey says he models his game after Kevin Durant, Paul George and Jayson Tatum," Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network wrote on X.
In his lone year at Rutgers, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks a game, shooting 46% from the field and 34.6% from three. If all goes right for him, his scoring abilities as a wing could lead to a career much like Tatum's or Durant's.
In ESPN's latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft, Bailey is predicted to go No. 3 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers, who have another star wing in Paul George.