Ace Bailey: Steal of the 2025 NBA Draft… or Future Bust? | Utah Jazz Scouting Report
Ace Bailey’s path to the NBA was anything but smooth. Projected as a top-three pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the 6’8” Rutgers standout — and 2024 All-Big Ten selection — shocked the basketball world with a pre-draft controversy, releasing a list of preferred teams and reportedly canceling workouts. Despite the headlines, the Utah Jazz called him a “dream draft scenario” and took him 5th overall.
In this in-depth breakdown, we explore:
Shooting Profile: Why his 43% guarded catch-and-shoot accuracy could be elite at the NBA level.
Athleticism & Summer League Impact: Above-the-rim finishing, rim runs, and his first Jazz minutes.
Playmaking & Decision-Making: Areas that must grow to avoid becoming one-dimensional.
Isolation Game: How 99th-percentile iso usage was both a weapon and a warning sign.
Defensive Fit in Utah: Length, instincts, and transition defense as his early calling card.
Whether you’re an NBA fan, a college hoops diehard, or just love elite athlete stories, this is the full scouting report on Airious “Ace” Bailey — and why his fit in Utah could define the Jazz’s future.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & Draft Context
0:31 – Shooting Breakdown
1:35 – Rutgers Season Recap
1:55 – Athleticism & Finishing Ability
3:04 – Weaknesses & Playmaking Concerns
4:46 – Isolation Game Analysis
5:52 – Defensive Potential
6:33 – Fit with the Utah Jazz
8:27 – Final Thoughts & Risk/Reward
#utahjazz #acebailey #nba #nbadraft2025 #jazznation
4 Comments
Ace will bring the title to my Jazz!!!
This is the best analysis I've seen on Bailey. I think the knocks on his game are legit, and I have no idea what to make of his shooting splits on contested 3's but if it's not some weird anomaly that's a great sign for him at the NBA level the way this league is anymore. He's going to be going up against 3&D guys almost every night in the league. I think there's a pretty high chance he ends up being the third best player in this draft by a high margin. I like Kon and Dylan Harper a lot, but I don't see stardom from those guys exactly just extremely high-quality and consistent play. I think Cooper, VJ and Ace all could/should be all-stars.
Also, I don't know how people aren't talking more about what a perfect spot Ace landed in. I bet he was probably 2nd or 3rd on Utah's board.
The Jazz finished last in both offense and defense.
I think Bailey's speed, leaping ability and offense is top notch. His defensive awareness can be improve but he is going to learn those as the season goes. All of these will improve this year's Jazz team. His draft brouhaha may have cost him an ad deal or a shoe deal even if he pops this season. It will take more than this season to erase that. He needs better PR people and a better agent. It was Zig Ziglar who’s credited with the famous quote: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
Jazz need another stud from the 2026 draft, 3 superstars in the first three picks this year.