Ace Bailey didn't want to go to Utah Jazz, but they ‘drafted him anyway’: Report

The Utah Jazz selected Ace Bailey, the Rutgers freshman forward, with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

Published on: Jun 26, 2025, 07:09:16 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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The Utah Jazz selected Ace Bailey, the Rutgers freshman forward, with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, despite reports that Bailey and his representatives preferred an East Coast team. Utah's decision, likely driven by GM Danny Ainge and new president of basketball operations Austin Ainge, was mocked on social media.

Ace Bailey reacts after being selected fifth by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA draft (AP)

Ace Bailey’s Draft Saga

Bailey, an 18-year-old, 6-foot-7.5 wing, was always a top-five prospect, averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks at Rutgers, with a 46% field goal percentage and 34.6% from three. His shot-making, likened to Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, and defensive upside, with a 7-foot wingspan and 4.1% block rate, made him a high-ceiling prospect.

However, concerns about his shot selection, limited playmaking (1.3 assists, 61 turnovers), and maturity dropped him from a projected No. 3 pick to No. 5 or lower. Bailey’s camp, led by agent Omar Cooper, declined workouts with Utah, Philadelphia (No. 3), and Charlotte (No. 4), aiming to steer him to a team like Washington (No. 6) for a larger role.

Jazz’s Bold Move

Despite Bailey’s reported disinterest in Utah, Jazz leadership dismissed his camp’s preferences. The Jazz, coming off a 17-65 season, might be viewing Bailey as a high-risk, high-reward swing to pair with Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, addressing their need for a star wing. Insider Jake Fischer noted Utah’s interest in Bailey as an “upside gamble,” despite his combine measurements underwhelming some scouts.

Dylan Harper and Bailey marked the highest draft picks in Rutgers annals. The next three selections featured three more freshman guards: Texas' Tre Johnson to the Washington Wizards at No. 6, Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears to the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 7 and BYU's Egor Demin to the Brooklyn Nets at No. 8.

The Mavericks had the No. 1 overall pick for the second time in franchise history. On Wednesday, they went with Cooper Flagg.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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