A promising freshman at Rutgers, Ace Bailey’s true height was officially revealed only after the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, triggering fresh discussions about how college programs list player measurements versus the NBA’s more stringent barefoot standards.
Details of his listed height and the ensuing reactions have reignited a familiar debate—let’s have a look at the ongoing controversy and how college’s lax measurements compare to the NBA.
Ace Bailey’s Measured Height vs. College Listing
At the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey was measured at 6’7.5″ barefoot — 2.5″ shorter than the 6’10” in height Rutgers had listed for him this season, along with 202.8 lbs, a 7′.5″ wingspan, and an 8’11” standing reach.
Ace Bailey’s height at the NBA Draft combine: 6’7 and 1/2
Ace Bailey’s listed height at Rutgers: 6’10
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) May 12, 2025
“Rutgers officially listed Ace Bailey as 6 feet, 10 inches tall last season. Turns out, he’s 2.5 inches shorter than that,” noted by an analyst on X, underscoring the gap between school listings and combine measurements.
Isaac Trotter added on X, “If you watched any Rutgers games, it was pretty clear that Ace Bailey was not 6’10” whenever he stood next to Dylan Harper,” highlighting how on-court visuals had already hinted at the discrepancy.
College programs often list heights with shoes and padding measurements by about 1–2 inches, presumably to help attract NBA scouts.
Despite the height “shave,” Bailey’s 7’0″ wingspan and proven scoring ability continue to impress scouts.
Reports noted, “It’s easy to believe Bailey is chock full of long-term upside as an athletic 6’9 forward (okay, he measured 6’7.5 barefoot) with a 7-foot wingspan who flashed some wild shot-making ability throughout his freshman year at Rutgers.” ESPN’s Big Board also still ranks him among the top prospects.
Many draft analysts argue that Bailey’s ability to stretch the floor—he shot 41% from three—and defend multiple positions outweighs a few inches on the measurement sheet.
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The controversy also echoes past combined revelations. While Bronny James’s own 2024 combine height drop generated debate, it did not derail his evaluation, suggesting that teams weigh a range of traits beyond simple stature.
As Rutgers and other programs continue to list heights with shoes, each new discrepancy offers a reminder: combine data, on-court film, and measurable tools must work in concert to assess a prospect’s true NBA potential.
Ace Bailey’s measured height at the NBA Combine has once again revealed the longstanding practice of college programs listing players’ in-shoe heights.
While the discrepancy attracted headlines and fan buzz, Bailey’s combination of length, skill, and athleticism ensures his draft prospects remain undiminished—and the debate over listing practices is sure to continue.
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