NBA teams are divided on just how high to take Rutgers star Ace Bailey in the draft

Rutgers forward Ace Bailey has as much potential as any prospect in Wednesday's draft but comes with some concerns according to NBA personnel.

Rutgers men’s basketball coach Steve Pikiell remembers the first time he saw Ace Bailey. As a freshman at McEachern High School in Georgia, Bailey had a long, athletic frame and showed energy — but he “was learning how to be a basketball player.”

One year later, Pikiell and assistant coach Brandin Knight returned to see Bailey. They were both blown away by his development (and the extra 3 inches in height).

“I remember seeing him at the end of his sophomore year, and I just said to Brandin, ‘He could be off-the-charts good.’ And that’s what he’s become: off-the-charts good.”

Bailey, a five-star recruit, signed with Rutgers and had what many consider a very good freshman season. He was productive individually, earning All-Big Ten honors and averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. But the Scarlet Knights finished 15-17, 11th in the conference and, despite having two NBA likely lottery picks in Bailey and Dylan Harper, failed to make the NCAA tournament.

Now, three months later and days away from the 2025 draft, the 18-year-old, 6-foot-8 small forward is once again trying to prove he belongs with the elite basketball players in the world.