2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report for Utah Jazz No. 5 Pick Ace Bailey
The Utah Jazz have selected Ace Bailey with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Few forwards in the class match Bailey’s combination of size and scoring skill. This past season at Rutgers, he showed touch on floaters, and he finished plays around the rim using his length and athleticism.
On the year, the 18-year-old scored 527 total points—the second-most ever by a Rutgers freshman and second only to his own teammate, Dylan Harper. He also earned third-team All-Big Ten and NCAA All-Freshman Team honors.
Of course, Bailey wasn't known for setting up teammates at Rutgers and often settled for tough looks. He also gambled at times defensively, despite making some defensive highlights with his quickness and physical tools.
Overall, his tools, flashes and pedigree suggest a high ceiling if the shot selection and feel improve.
Bailey is ranked No. 6 on B/R NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman’s 2025 Prospect Big Board.
Essential Facts and Stats
College: Rutgers | Position: SF | Height: 6'8" | Weight: 203 lbs | Age: 18 | Vertical: 34½ | Wingspan: 7'0½" | PPG: 17.6 | RPG: 7.2 | APG: 1.3 | BPG: 1.3 | SPG: 1 |FG%: 46 | 3PT%: 34.6
Realistic Pro Comparison: Michael Porter, Jr.
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Bailey and Michael Porter Jr. are big wings who can play multiple offensive positions.
Shotmaking is their moneymaker. Neither excels at getting downhill or defending, but both can score in a variety of ways, including above the rim and beyond the arc.
Porter hasn't broken into All-Star status, and at 26 years old, it's tough to say if he will. But he's played a vital role on contenders, which is something Bailey forecasts to do as well if he can play smart and fit within a system.
Strengths
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Perimeter Scoring: Few forwards possess Bailey's positional size and shotmaking skill. That combination is highly valued in modern bigs.
Rim Efficiency: Bailey finished plays around the rim efficiently using his size, athleticism and floater touch.
Defensive Tools: The forward has the ability to make some highlight plays on the ball defensively using his positional height, fluidity and length against wings and guards.
Weaknesses
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Playmaking: Bailey rarely passes or looks to use his gravity to set up teammates. If that sticks in the NBA, defenses will collapse on him.
Inefficiency: He operates with a low-percentage, high-difficulty shot selection, and he's turnover prone. This will be key to determining his professional ceiling.
Defense: While Bailey made plays on the ball, he wasn't consistently denying penetration or making the right reads from off it.
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