In a bold move, the Utah Jazz selected Ace Bailey as the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. This selection comes despite earlier reports suggesting Bailey’s reluctance to join the team, which the player swiftly dispelled during Wednesday night’s press conference. Bailey made it clear he embraces the opportunity to develop and contribute to Utah’s aspirations.
Initially, the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets were rumored to be keen on acquiring Bailey. However, just days before the draft, these teams shifted their focus, leading to the Hornets selecting Kon Knueppel and the 76ers choosing VJ Edgecombe.
With these uncertainties now behind him, Bailey expressed his readiness to don the Jazz jersey, addressing any lingering doubts about his satisfaction with the draft outcome. “I can control what I can control,” Bailey stated.
“They feel how they feel. But my team and I are focused on basketball, and things happen for a reason,” he added, conveying his mindset upon learning of his new role with the Jazz. Bailey’s positive outlook and determination signal a promising new chapter for both the player and the Utah Jazz as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season.
Bailey’s prospective future with the Jazz
The Utah Jazz are gearing up for a comeback in the upcoming NBA season following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign that left their fan base dissatisfied. Contributing to the tumult were key mid-season roster decisions. Now, with the 5th overall pick in the first round of the draft, the Jazz aim to strengthen their lineup with top-tier talent.
This offseason, speculation surrounds a potential move for Bailey, with a trade to another team as a plausible strategy for acquiring new stars. However, such a trade seems unlikely given their comments on working in a relationship between the organization and the player.
If rumors regarding Bailey’s initial reaction to being drafted by the Jazz hold true, both parties may need to address this in order to ensure a productive collaboration moving forward. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Bailey had reportedly preferred landing spots in Washington, New Orleans, or Brooklyn, which might be key to resolving any discomfort stemming from his draft selection.
Bailey’s stats at Rutgers
Why is Bailey considered so promising? As noted by Rotowire.com, his impressive stat line at Rutgers University was further highlighted by a noteworthy performance at the NBA Draft Combine. Let’s delve into his last season collegiate stats.
Bailey’s stats during his sole collegiate season included:
- 17.6 points per game
- 7.2 rebounds per game
- 1.3 assists per game
- 1.3 blocks per game
- 1.0 steals per game
- 33.4 minutes per game
- 46/35/69 shooting splits on 14.7 field-goal attempts
- 4.5 three-point attempts and 3.6 free-throw attempts per game
SURVEY Will Bailey stay in Utah?
Will Bailey stay in Utah?
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