Every year, NBA teams hunt for the next big star to change their fortunes. So, when a top draft expert compares a rising player to an NBA All-Star, it catches everyone’s attention. That’s exactly what happened recently with Rutgers standout Ace Bailey.
He’s projected to be a top-four pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony revealed that Bailey is somewhat polarizing within certain front offices. This makes his draft outlook even more intriguing, as some teams are all in, while others remain unsure.
ESPN Analyst Compares Ace Bailey to Anthony Edwards in Eye-Opening Take
On a recent episode of NBA Today, ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony made headlines by comparing Ace Bailey to Anthony Edwards. While some scouts agree with the comparison, not everyone is sold on it.
Went on NBA Today with @malika_andrews to talk about what we saw and learned at the LA Pro Days, what we’re hearing from San Antonio at 2 and Philadelphia at 3, and why the draft really gets interesting in that range! pic.twitter.com/cWwK9c0DHt
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 21, 2025
Givony shared, “Ace Bailey, some of his interviews, people told me they compared it to Anthony Edwards, just in terms of how fun-loving of a guy he is, his personality. Not everybody loved that, to be honest with you.”
Bailey, a 6’9″ forward from Rutgers, is one of the draft’s brightest talents. Yet, his personality comparisons to Edwards have split NBA executives. Before the 2020 draft, Edwards was known as a raw but gifted player. He even told ESPN he “can’t watch basketball” and wasn’t “really into it.”
This lack of enthusiasm was very rare for a No. 1 pick and raised doubts about his passion. Despite the doubts, Minnesota took the chance, and Edwards turned into a star.
Now, Bailey finds himself in a similar spot. His talent is clear, but teams are watching his interviews closely. They want to know if he’s ready to handle the spotlight and pressure that come with being a top pick.
According to the draft analyst, this could open the door for other players like VJ Edgecombe to climb the draft board. He explained, “There’s room here for a guy like Vijay Edgecombe, who is way more polished, a little bit more buttoned up, to come up and maybe take that spot from him. The workouts, the intel, the interviews are going to play a big part in how it all plays out.”
Scouts are watching Bailey closely, weighing his combine stats, style, and flaws. He boasts a 36.5-inch vertical leap and a 3.12-second sprint time, showing top-level athleticism. Still, some worry about his shot choices, assist-to-turnover ratio, and 69.2% free-throw shooting. These could affect his NBA efficiency.
KEEP READING: Ace Bailey Over Cooper Flagg? 4-Time NBA All-Star Boldly Argues Mavericks Should Draft the Rutgers Star No. 1 Overall
Most mock drafts have Bailey projected at No. 3, possibly landing with the Philadelphia 76ers, while Edgecombe is seen as a potential No. 4 pick. But with the draft process still unfolding, his interviews, workouts, and team fit may play a crucial role in determining where he actually lands.
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