Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey headed to NBA

Field Level Media|published: Wed 23rd April, 10:42 2025

Jan 13, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) celebrates during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey announced Wednesday that he has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft.

He made the announcement via Instagram with a photo simply captioned "Declared."

"I want to thank everyone at Rutgers," Bailey told ESPN on Wednesday. "... Everyone pushed me to get better every day, to be the best version of myself. I am thankful for everything they did for me. I felt a lot of love from everyone.

Bailey is projected to be the No. 3 pick in the June draft. Ahead of him on most mock drafts are fellow freshmen Cooper Flagg of Duke and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper.

Bailey, a 6-foot-10 forward from Chattanooga, Tenn., averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds on the season. He was a third-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection.

He will turn 19 in August and said he knows he still has room to improve.

"I'm nowhere close to reaching my potential," Bailey told ESPN. "I'm still young, still learning, but I'm working every day. My playmaking is improving. NBA teams will get an energetic player ready to talk, lead and put people in the right positions. I can take a good team to a better level."

--Field Level Media