Governor Spencer Cox Welcomes Ace Bailey To Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – Rutgers star forward Ace Bailey is headed to Utah, and Governor Spencer Cox is getting ahead of it by welcoming the youngster to the Beehive State.

Cox took to X to welcome Bailey to Utah in response to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro slamming Bailey’s cancelled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers.

“I’m worried about that. If you’re not coming to work out, then you’ve got something wrong here,” Shapiro said on the “Men at Work” podcast while pointing at his head. “I’ve already sent a message about that.”

RELATED: Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of 2025 NBA Draft

Ace is welcome in Utah and we promise to take great care of him! 😏 https://t.co/OtUL4BBZ2m

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) June 25, 2025

Shapiro went on to say, “I just don’t like that. He’s got great talent, great upside, but if you don’t want to be here, if you’re not dying to be here, I don’t want you to be here.”

Bailey was long projected as the likely third pick 9in the draft, but speculation about his stock falling ran rampant in recent days. Bailey did not work out for any teams during the 2025 draft cycle, which led some to believe he had a preferred destination.

RELATED: Jazz Select Ace Bailey With Fifth Pick In 2025 NBA Draft

Cox’s comment was sent the night before the draft.

The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is being held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, June 25.

2025 NBA Draft

1. Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks
2. Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs
3. VJ Edgecombe | Philadelphia 76ers
4. Kon Knueppel | Charlotte Hornets
5. Ace Bailey | Utah Jazz
6. Tre Johnson | Washington Wizards
7. Jeremiah Fears | New Orleans Pelicans
8. Egor Demin | Brooklyn Nets
9. Collin Murray-Boyles | Toronto Raptors

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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10- 12 p.m. with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky. 

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24. 

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