Ace Bailey has created an all-big 10 team as a freshman. If used correctly, it is expected to achieve the same success in the NBA.
When the first mock draft of 2025 came on, Cooper Flag continued to be the top pick of the consensus. However, Rutgers University’s Ace Bailey has slipped through the rankings from second overall, and can be found between third and tenth.
The Scarlet Knights missed the NCAA tournament, so either they were overwhelmed by the tournament on recent memory top players or completely missed it, Bailey should be categorized as those players.
As a 6-foot-10 front, Bailey has thriving tools at both ends of the floor. The general manager who rethinks the draft and passes him is remembered for his poor choice.
Before the draft, there’s everything fans need to know about Bailey.
- Age/Date of Birth: 18 (August 13, 2006)
- Nationality: America
- Height/Weight: 6ft 10, 210lbs
- University: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Career Statistics: 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steel, 1.3 blocks, 46.0 FG%, 34.6 3pt%
- NCAA Tournament Statistics: n/a
- Career Highs: 39 points (Indiana vs.), 15 rebounds (Vs. Pennsylvania), 4 assists (Vs. Nebraska vs. Iowa)
- NBA comparison: Rashard Lewis
He moves like a true wing and is 6 feet 10 forward, allowing him to be promoted to let go of his shot against those who are protecting him. He is the highest three-level scorer in the draft and the ultimate tough shot maker.
He is a solid defender who can block shots and dance with a ball handler to defenders, but he’s probably not a star stopper. His attacks are what he is known to him, but his explosive athletic ability will benefit greatly from both ends of the floor.
He can pull up from the dribble and create for himself behind the arc or behind the midrange, and has both height and explosiveness to reach the top of the rim. He went into the slot as a jumbo guard or a weak ventral shot blocker, allowing him to play any role. His versatility matches only Flagg.
Like Rutgers’ teammate Dylan Harper, Bailey struggles with tunnel vision. He often stands up and takes bad shots, but his shot diet remains bloated as he gets frustrated and makes them.
He also has no weight to jump with some big men and can easily get a body on both ends of the floor, so his rebounding prowess in the NCAA may not be translated into the NBA. You can also easily knock off the course when attacking the rim. This is because it doesn’t absorb contact like a stronger player.
He can stay in front of small players, but even for small players, he may not be able to bump and stay on top as a defender. However, when he jumps to block a shot, he cannot put his hands on the ball unless he is knocked out of his position.
Teams that can use secondary defenders and scoring punches are happy to bring Bailey with them. The frontcourts in Charlotte, Mussa Diabete, Tillane Surrown and Bailey were long, athletic and commission rebound possible.
He will also fit next to Brooklyn’s Nick Claxton, but the net may get out of drafting him this season.
Surprise seller resident, the Philadelphia 76ers could also use him as an alternative to the final Paul George. With all the tools from the jump, young Bailey could steal George’s spot in the starting lineup. He has that talent and brings such diversity to the table.