Ace Bailey, a 6’10” freshman from Rutgers , has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant for his silky smooth shot making and scoring versatility. At just 18, Bailey’s ability to make contested mid-range jumpers and tough fadeaway looks a lot like Durant’s early career, with a high release point that’s nearly unblockable. Averaging 17.6 points on 46% shooting from the field, including 34.6% from three, Bailey’s knack for hitting guarded shots-making 48.1%of 81 contested jumpers, highlights his elite scoring skills which could carry on in the NBA. His size, athleticism, and defensive flashes makes him a very intriguing prospect, but his recent NBA draft journey has not exactly been ideal of Bailey.
Bailey’s draft stock, once projected as a top-3 pick, is reportedly slipping due to controversial pre-draft strategy as per ESPN’s DraftExpress. His camp’s refusal to conduct workouts or visit teams within his draft range, including initially declining Philadelphia’s No.3 pick, has raised a lot of eyebrows. According to Jonathan Givony, Bailey’s predraft workout strategy has raised concerns, “He has yet to conduct a single known workout till date, having declined invitations from several teams,” wrote Jonathan Givony. Bailey’s representatives insist he’s a top-3, seeking a “clear pathway to stardom” and banking on a team trading up to select him as the 3rd or 4th pick if he slides.
The gamble has sparked concerns about his professionalism, with some teams questioning if he’s received assurances from a franchise outside the top 5 like Washington or New Orleans.
This strategy has cost Bailey some momentum, with various mock drafts drafting him as the 6th overall pick to the Washington Wizards. His inconsistent shot selection and low assist-to-turnover ratio at Rutgers, along with a disappointing 15-17 team record alongside Dylan Harper, fuels doubts about his feel for the game. Despite a scheduled workout with the 76ers, Bailey’s lack of engagement and poor NBA Combine interview feedback may have hampered his draft stock.
While his Durant-like scoring remaings undeniable at this point, his high-stakes approach could see him fall further into the draft, risking his future with guaranteed money, unless a team buys into his star potential on draft night.
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