Jazz Selects Ace Bailey at No. 5 in 2025 NBA Draft

The Utah Jazz have chosen Rutgers forward Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a selection that caught some by surprise. Initially, many believed Washington might be a better fit for him, but Utah saw significant upside in Bailey.

At 6’8″ with a 7’1″ wingspan, Bailey is known for his scoring ability. His standout performances include 39 points against Indiana, 37 against Northwestern, and 30 versus Penn State. When firing on all cylinders, Bailey can be nearly unstoppable offensively.

However, his draft position reflects some concerns about his game. Bailey relies heavily on mid-range shots—over half of his half-court attempts are from this range—and struggles with efficiency, making only 36% of his shots overall. His shooting percentages from dribble jumpers and at the rim are also limited, indicating areas for improvement.

Defensively, Bailey has shown potential thanks to his athleticism and wingspan. Nonetheless, he often loses track of opponents off the ball and needs to improve his positioning. While his length helps him recover, his soft defense remains a weak point. His ability to produce highlight-reel shots, like turnaround fadeaways, hints at his high ceiling, but consistency is an issue.

Overall, Utah’s gamble on Bailey is a low-risk, high-reward move. Given the young roster and potential for growth, he could develop into a scorer averaging 18-22 points per game next season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if he can refine his game and live up to his upside.