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Ace Bailey Jazz Summer League Plans Revealed After Draft Drama

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 4:27 PM ET

Former Rutgers small forward Ace Bailey was always considered to be a top prospect among this year's starry 2025 NBA draft class.

But that didn't stop Bailey from trying to control his own destiny a bit.

The 6-foot-10 swingman refused to work out for any team in the lead-up to the first round of the draft Wednesday. He (ahem) bailed on the Philadelphia 76ers, who possessed the No. 3 pick, despite initially agreeing to a private workout and meeting. Philadelphia selected Baylor Bears wing V.J. Edgecombe with that selection, while the Charlotte Hornets picked Duke sharpshooter Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick.

Per Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Bailey had apparently been hoping to fall in the draft to a club that could guarantee him a major role and significant minutes — with the Washington Wizards (who held the No. 6 pick) and the Brooklyn Nets (No. 8) being seen as potential takers.

Instead, Utah's front office brain trust of Danny and Austin Ainge found Bailey's upside too appetizing to resist, and grabbed him with the No. 5 selection. A sour-faced Bailey took the podium during Wednesday's draft, unhappily wearing his Jazz hat.

The Ainges may be onto something with their scouting. In 30 games for the Scarlet Knights last year, Bailey averaged 17.6 points on .460/.346/.692 shooting splits, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists a night.

Appearing on SportsCenter Thursday, ESPN's Brian Windhorst caused some fan concern when he revealed that Bailey did not travel with Utah's other first round selection, another guard — No. 18 pick Walter Clayton out of Florida.

“(Bailey) did not go to Utah today. Walter Clayton, their other first round draft pick, did go to Utah today,” Windhorst said. “Now the Jazz have said that’s not an issue. They allow their new players to go home. But he will be expected to be there on Monday when their Summer League training camp begins. So, let’s see."

Tony Jones of The Athletic has now revealed that, despite that concerning travel hiccup, Bailey is expected to join the Jazz for the 2025 Summer League.

Diving into Ace Bailey, the Utah Jazz and why the Jazz ignored the many smoke signals sent predraft by Bailey's camp and drafted him anyway. The story, is here. Please read - https://t.co/Tt4tkS0rI6
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 27, 2025

“For me, it is my understanding that all of our draft picks will be here this weekend and preparing for Summer League,” vice president of player development Avery Bradley said, per Jones.

“I think there is always going to be outside noise," Bradley added. "But Ace’s dream was to get drafted, and he’s blessed to have been drafted by the Utah Jazz. We are excited to have him. We are excited to get him here and excited to get him a part of our family, so he can begin to show who he is as a player.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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