This year’s NBA Draft has some hot prospects — including Cooper Flagg, Walter Clayton Jr., Kon Knueppel, and Dylan Harper — but there is an intriguing player that has yet to work out for a team.
Ace Bailey, a former five-star recruit, played one season at Rutgers University. The 6-foot-10, 210-pounder is a hybrid of a shooting guard/small forward with big potential. He averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 2024 at Rutgers, sharing the spotlight with his former teammate (Harper) as the Scarlet Knight’s leading scorer in most games.
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Bailey had 30-plus points in matchups versus Northwestern (37), Penn State (30), and Indiana (39) — showcasing he can dominate games in the pros if needed. The former McDonald’s All-American and “Mr. Basketball” for the state of Georgia has an interesting process in this draft. His management team is trying to get him to a franchise where he can play early and maximize his potential. The NBA Draft starts next Wednesday (June 25) and goes until Thursday (June 26).
According to Jonathan Givony, an NBA Draft analyst for ESPN, he made a change in his recent mock draft with Bailey.
He has him going in the top-10, regardless of Bailey canceling his workout for the Philadelphia 76ers. Givony lists the Wizards, Pelicans, and Nets as teams can potentially trade up for Bailey. He highlights Washington as the team to take him at No. 6.
I happened to go on NBA Today this afternoon to talk about Ace Bailey’s recent slide down our mock draft and perplexing pre-draft strategy, which just got a lot stranger tonight, canceling his workout in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/cArVrcdYmL
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 19, 2025
The Wizards, Pelicans and Nets are teams to monitor as potential trade-up candidates for Ace Bailey, per @DraftExpress.
Bailey’s camp is looking for a franchise that will guarantee Bailey a starting spot and heavy minutes early in his career. pic.twitter.com/ulM9y5gpyN
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 18, 2025
Bailey should develop into an impactful stretch forward for whoever needs him.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
