What Are Jazz Getting In Ace Bailey?
Jun 26, 2025, 3:06 PM | Updated: Jun 27, 2025, 3:00 pm
Ace Bailey (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fifth overall by the Utah Jazz during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz made a big splash when they selected Rutgers wing Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Bailey didn’t conduct workouts with the top five teams in the lottery, reportedly hoping to land the highly touted prospect with the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, or Brooklyn Nets in the draft.
However, the Jazz upended those plans by selecting Bailey, who projects as a major building block in the team’s future.
Related: Jazz Select Ace Bailey With Fifth Pick
What does Ace Bailey offer the Jazz?
One Of The Highest-Rated Prospects In Team History
While the Jazz have no shortage of highly ranked prospects on their team, few compare to Bailey historically.
Though both Bailey and current Jazz guard Isaiah Collier were the number two-ranked high school players in the country according to 24/7 Sports, Bailey comes from a much higher-rated graduating class overall.
The Rutgers product is a true blue-chip prospect, combining elite physical tools and a high-level scoring prowess that the Jazz haven’t fostered in a rookie in several decades.
Ace Bailey 39 points on 16-29 FG (4–8 3pt)
pic.twitter.com/Wx8xNziX8j— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) June 20, 2025
Bailey measured in at 6-foot-7.5 (barefoot), with a 7-foot wingspan, and an 8-foot-11 standing reach.
The Tennessee native was among the top freshman scorers in the country, averaging 17.6 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor and 34 percent from three.
Bailey’s combination of size and scoring ability is what teams seek at the top of the lottery.
Off-Ball Scoring
While Bailey is often lauded for his difficult shotmaking, his offensive game might look significantly different early in his NBA career.
The freshman was tasked with carrying an enormous offensive load at Rutgers, which consisted of difficult shots, many of which he was asked to create on his own.
Now with the Jazz, he will likely have less responsibility as a shot creator.
Ace Bailey Shooting Breakdown
Nice numbers off the catch but significantly better on Guarded 3PA. Solid numbers on non-rim two’s with only 27.2% of those shots being assisted.
Found this interesting (3PA and %) ⬇️
November: 11/29 – 37.9%
December: 4/17 – 23.5%
January: 25/51 -… pic.twitter.com/B6h8zqGd4Z— Lucas (@redcooteay) March 28, 2025
Bailey shot just 24 percent on three-point shots off the dribble, but saw that number climb to nearly 39 percent in catch-and-shoot situations.
Though the Jazz won’t ignore Bailey’s off-the-dribble development, a critical aspect of reaching his offensive ceiling, he’ll benefit greatly from better floor spacing, resulting in a simpler shot diet.
Furthermore, Bailey showed flashes as a cutter within Rutgers’ offense, slashing to the rim or catching defenders off guard with backdoor cuts for easy baskets at the rim.
Rebounding Talent
Though some of Bailey’s numbers may have been inflated due to an undersized roster at Rutgers, the freshman averaged a healthy 7.2 rebounds per game in 30 appearances.
The Georgia High School Player of the Year played primarily on the perimeter in college, but still managed to grab 10 or more rebounds in as many games (seven) as he had four or fewer.
In total, Bailey recorded seven double-doubles in his college career and played larger than his combine measurements would imply.
Perimeter Versatility
Now paired with Taylor Hendricks, Cody Williams, and Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz have four rangey athletes who will play multiple positions throughout the lineup, providing Coach Will Hardy with two-way versatility that the franchise has historically lacked.
Bailey has significant room to grow defensively, but showed strong instincts as a weakside shot blocker, with length that will pair well with the existing talent on the Jazz’s roster.
Confidence
The cliche “he doesn’t know how good he can be,” simply doesn’t apply to Bailey.
The teenager has been an elite prospect throughout his career and comes from a rich basketball bloodline.
Both of Bailey’s parents played college basketball, while his aunt won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 Olympics.
The wing has been one of the top-rated players in his age group since he was 15 years old, and has backed up the ranking with his production on the court every step of the way.
Bailey wants to be a star in the NBA and doesn’t shy away from that expectation.
What doesn’t Ace Bailey offer the Jazz?
On-Ball Playmaking
Though Bailey is a gifted scorer, he showed little in the way of playmaking at Rutgers.
The wing averaged just 1.3 assists per game and 2.0 turnovers, highlighting his preference for taking difficult shots over creating looks for his teammates.
While Bailey has better passing chops than the numbers would imply, he’s far from an established ball-mover, failing to record an assist in 11 of his 30 outings at Rutgers, and only six games with three or more.
Elite Vertical Athleticism
Bailey had a handful of highlight reel dunks as a freshman, but doesn’t enter the NBA as one of the best leapers in his class.
Though the 18-year-old is a fluid leaper, his 34.5-inch max vertical won’t allow him to be the same type of sky scraper that some may expect from an elite scorer in the NBA.
However, Bailey is quick off the ground, and when teamed with his length, he’s able to both block shots and dunk with little effort.
Offensive Rim Presence
Bailey has shown signs of a dribble-drive game, but due to his underdeveloped frame and shaky ball-handling skills, he didn’t have a heavy rim presence in college.
As his body fills out, and his handle improves, the wing should see more opportunities to score at the basket, which will also result in more free-throw attempts, but early in his career, he may find it difficult to get into the paint with the ball in his hands.
It is worth noting that with better spacing, Bailey may find better driving ranges in the NBA than he did in college, and won’t be the top player on the scouting report to begin his professional career.
Overall
Ultimately, comparisons to superstars like Kevin Durant and Paul George may give fans a misconception of what to expect from Bailey, especially early in his career.
The wing’s elite tools will inevitably shine through as a rookie, while his raw feel for the game will lead to several head-scratching moments.
Bailey is, without question a project, but has the resume, tools, and personality to develop into a premier talent with the Jazz.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
