Heading into the 2025 NBA draft on Wednesday night, the landing spot for former Rutgers star Ace Bailey was in question. Bailey had refused to work out with any NBA teams, and as a result, there were rumors he was attempting to avoid the teams at the top of the draft. Bailey was still selected by the Utah Jazz with the fifth pick in the first round.
While Utah might not have been his preferred destination, being a top-five pick in the NBA draft is still an achievement. Ex-Utah Jazz star, Carlos Boozer, dropped a three-word reaction to Bailey getting drafted on his Instagram story.
“Welcome to Utah,” Boozer wrote.
Carlos Boozer had a long NBA career, starting in 2002 and running through 2017. He had his best years as a member of the Utah Jazz from 2004 to 2010. During that time, he earned his two NBA All-Star Game selections in 2007 and 2008. Boozer also earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2008.
Ace Bailey Reacts to Getting Drafted by the Utah Jazz
Heading into draft night, Ace Bailey was not expected to be drafted by the Utah Jazz. Bailey’s camp told NBA teams he only wanted to be drafted by the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans or Brooklyn Nets, who had the sixth through eighth picks.
Before Bailey started to manipulate his draft destination, he was in the mix to be a top-three pick. As a result, when Bailey was still available with the fifth pick, the Utah Jazz decided he was too talented to pass up.
After he was selected, Ace Bailey spoke with NBA media, reacting to becoming the newest member of the Utah Jazz.
“I can control what I can control,” Bailey said. “They feel how they feel. But my team and me, me focusing on basketball and them doing what they’re doing, so it happens.”
Ace Bailey on going to Utah:
“I can control what I can control. They feel how they feel. But my team and me, me focusing on basketball and them doing what they’re doing, so it happens” pic.twitter.com/aHkz7QFBVR
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) June 26, 2025
Bailey played one season in college before declaring for the draft. In his freshman year at Rutgers, he averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. Bailey was not the only player selected by the Jazz in the first round. The Jazz traded up to acquire Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr.
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