Rutgers Star Ace Bailey Declares for 2025 NBA Draft
Projected top-3 pick Ace Bailey is officially taking his talents to the NBA.
The Rutgers freshman announced Wednesday he’s entering the 2025 NBA draft and has signed with Omar Cooper of Lifestyle Sports Agency, according to ESPN.
Bailey’s decision comes after just one season with the Scarlet Knights, where he showcased the kind of versatility that has NBA scouts drooling.
“I’m nowhere close to reaching my potential,” Bailey told ESPN.
The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds while starting all 30 games for Rutgers. He also chipped in 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
What makes scouts so excited about Bailey is his rare combination of size and skill. Despite being nearly seven feet tall, he moves like someone much smaller and can create his own shot like a guard.
He shot a respectable 34.5% from three-point range on 4.5 attempts per game.
Bailey won’t even turn 19 until mid-August, making him one of the youngest prospects in this loaded draft class.
The Tennessee native was ranked as the #2 overall recruit coming out of high school last year. His commitment to Rutgers was a massive coup for the program, especially when fellow top-3 recruit Dylan Harper followed suit.
Despite having two elite freshmen, Rutgers struggled to a disappointing 15-17 record and missed the NCAA tournament.
Harper is also expected to be a top-3 pick in the upcoming draft, potentially giving Rutgers two of the first three selections.
The 2025 NBA draft class is considered exceptionally talented, with several potential future all-stars at the top of the board.
NBA teams with lottery picks will be watching Bailey’s pre-draft workouts closely as they position themselves for a player who could transform their franchise for years to come.
