NBA DRAFT SHOCK: How Ace Bailey Rejected Utah, Yet They Picked Him 5th Anyway!
This year’s NBA draft brought one of the most bizarre and fascinating stories in recent memory. The main star of the night wasn’t the first pick, Kuiper Flag, but rather Rutgers guard Ace Bailey, who was selected 5th overall by the Utah Jazz — a team he had openly rejected for months!
Rejected Utah, but they picked him anyway
Bailey made it clear he did not want to be drafted by Utah. He refused to attend individual workouts with them and showed no enthusiasm about joining the team. Yet, Utah’s front office, led by basketball operations director Austin Eng, decided he was exactly what they needed, despite not having a chance to thoroughly evaluate him.
A story like Stephen Curry’s
Bailey’s story reminds many of Stephen Curry’s situation, who also rejected certain teams before the draft but was eventually picked 7th by the Golden State Warriors. Curry’s father and agent requested some teams not draft him, but the Warriors took a chance and made history. Now Utah seems to be trying to replicate that success with Bailey.
Potential and doubts
Bailey stands 6’6” tall with impressive offensive skills — shooting, dribbling, step-back, jump shot, and attacking the rim. In his only college season, he averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds, shooting 34.6% from three-point range. However, doubts about his scoring efficiency, ball control, passing, defensive intensity, and maturity kept him out of the top three picks.
Utah believes in him
Despite all this, Utah decided to gamble, confident they can unlock his potential and develop him into a top scorer. Alongside Bailey, Utah also drafted two other promising rookies — Walter Clayton Jr. and John Tonje.
Ace Bailey: “I’m blessed”
Bailey said he feels blessed to be picked at that spot and believes in his work and process. He has put countless hours into the gym and training and is ready to prove himself. His energy and willingness to contribute are clear, and Utah hopes their bold choice pays off.
Conclusion
This story is a real shock to the NBA world and shows how unpredictable the draft can be. Will Utah Jazz manage to get the best out of Ace Bailey, or will this be another miss? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain — the NBA draft is never boring!
Got thoughts on this draft surprise? Think Utah made a mistake? Drop a comment and share your madness with us! Who knows, maybe you’ll predict the next NBA star or the biggest bust!
