A murky situation happened Wednesday night at the NBA Draft with a top prospect.
Ace Bailey, a standout wing player for Rutgers, was selected at No. 5 overall by the Utah Jazz. The rumor mill started swirling on social media that Utah was a team Bailey’s camp did not want him to go to. An idea not to report to the team was in action, but things have calmed. Jonathan Givony, an NBA Draft insider for ESPN, reports Bailey will join the Jazz on Saturday.
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Ace Bailey will report to the Utah Jazz on Saturday, a team representative told ESPN.
“We’ve had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives,” the Jazz said. “Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow.”
STORY: https://t.co/YBHg166OXV pic.twitter.com/puJpxaaBCz
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
“We’ve had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives,” the Jazz said. “Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow.”
The 6-foot-10, 200-pounder averaged 17.6 points per game in one season at Rutgers. Bailey had 10 matchups with at least 20 points, including three 30-point performances. Danny Ainge and Austin Ainge know how to build championship teams.
The patriarch, Danny, won two NBA titles as a player with the Boston Celtics in 1984 and 1986. He also won in the 2007-08 season as an executive for the franchise. Austin serves as the president of basketball operations for the Jazz.
He helped the Celtics to an NBA Championship in the 2023-24 season as the director of player personnel.
The father/son duo were not backing down to Bailey’s management. They have their guy set to report this weekend.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
