Ace Bailey: NBA Drafts Risky Prospect or Future Star? Teams Weigh the Rewards and Risks Ahead of 2025 Draft
Ace Bailey, a 6-foot-8 small forward from Rutgers, is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 NBA draft. On one hand, he is a highly touted scorer with size and skills that could make him a perennial All-Star. On the other hand, he is a raw prospect with maturity issues that have some teams hesitant to take a chance on him at the top of the draft.
Bailey's journey to the NBA has been a long one. As a freshman at McEachern High School in Georgia, he was just learning how to be a basketball player. But one year later, Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell and assistant coach Brandin Knight were blown away by his development and the extra 3 inches in height. Pikiell even went so far as to say that Bailey "could be off-the-charts good," and that's exactly what he has become.
Bailey had a very good freshman season at Rutgers, earning All-Big Ten honors and averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. However, the Scarlet Knights finished 15-17 and failed to make the NCAA tournament, despite having two NBA likely lottery picks in Bailey and Dylan Harper.
Now, three months later and days away from the 2025 draft, Bailey is once again trying to prove he belongs with the elite basketball players in the world. Some view him as a can't-miss NBA player, while others see him as a raw prospect with maturity issues not worth the risk at the top of the draft.
One of the biggest concerns about Bailey is his decision to not work out for any NBA team in the pre-draft process, including canceling scheduled time with the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the third selection. This move has reportedly caused him to fall down teams' rankings.
So what does Bailey bring to the table? And is he worth the risk for NBA franchises? According to Pikiell, the answer is a no-brainer. "Ace Bailey's upside is higher than anybody's in the entire draft," he said. "He's got a special work ethic, he's coachable, he's got all the intangibles, his body matures. He's got as quick a release as any player I've been around, including Ray Allen."
However, there are those who disagree. They point to Bailey's shot selection as a major criticism, with some even going so far as to say he has "arguably the worst shot selection in college basketball." But ESPN college basketball and draft analyst Fran Fraschilla disagrees, saying that Bailey's strength is his ability to take tough and make tough shots. "Getting your own shot off in the NBA is a skill in and of itself," he said. "And he certainly has shown that capability."
Ultimately, it's up to NBA scouting departments and front offices to decide whether Bailey is worth the risk. If you ask his former coach, the upside is worth betting on. "He's 18 years old," Pikiell said. "I don't even know if he shaves yet."
In the end, whether you love or hate Bailey, there's no denying his talent and potential. The question now is whether an NBA team will take a chance on him and give him the opportunity to reach his full potential.
