Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey headed to NBA
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
- Best NBA Betting Picks and Predictions for Thursday, January 29
- Wednesday Jan. 28 NBA Best Betting Picks, Predictions
- Rangers vs Islanders Jan. 28 NHL Betting Pick and Predictions
- College Basketball Picks Today: Nebraska vs. Michigan Headlines Loaded Slate
- Tuesday NHL Betting Picks: Expert Bets for Jan. 27th
- Best NBA Bets Today: Spread Picks and Player Props for Monday’s Games
- NFL Championship Weekend Picks: AFC & NFC Best Bets
