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ESPN analyst feels Ace Bailey will land in right spot in NBA Draft

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 4:20 PM ET

The NBA Draft process was different for him, but there is no denying how talented he is.

Ace Bailey, a former Rutgers standout, looks forward to hearing his name called early Wednesday night in the draft.

He averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in his lone season at Rutgers. Bailey had several matchups where he lit up scoring at least 24 points, including three 30+ point performances. The 6-foot-10, 200-pound guard/forward hybrid did not workout for a single team in the process, but Bailey’s management team is confident he will fall in the spot he needs to be.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Bailey could be called as high as No. 3 or as low as Nos. 8 or 9.

“[Ace Bailey’s camp] feel like whether it’s as high as three, or as low as eight or nine. They feel like he’ll land exactly where he wants to be.”@ShamsCharania gives an update on where Ace Bailey could end up in tonight’s NBA draft pic.twitter.com/xwdKXaznWP

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 25, 2025

He does not expected him to drop out of the top-10 picks. The Philadelphia 76ers have the third overall pick, while Charolette (No. 4), Utah (No. 5), Washington (No. 6), New Orleans (No. 7), Brooklyn (No. 8), Toronto (No. 9), and Houston (No. 10) follow the 76ers. Bailey has the potential to be a force in the league, but it comes down to who takes him.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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