Ace Bailey adds to historic night for Rutgers with selection by Utah Jazz in NBA Draft

Ace Bailey added to historic night for Rutgers, as forward was selected fifth overall by Utah Jazz in NBA Draft. Bailey joins teammate Dylan Harper as Scarlet Knights’ first Top 5 draft picks. (Photo by Rutgers Athletics)

NEW YORK — Ace Bailey drew comparisons to Kevin Durant and Tracy McGrady in his brief time at Rutgers for being an explosive, high-scoring wing. McGrady got to see Bailey work firsthand in February, when he was at Jersey Mike’s Arena to watch the Scarlet Knights take on USC.

Bailey now gets his chance to prove himself at the highest level, as the 6-foot-10 forward was selected fifth overall by the Utah Jazz in Wednesday’s NBA Draft. The Tennessee native joins Dylan Harper, drafted second overall by the San Antonio Spurs, as the first Top 5 draft picks in Rutgers history.

“Ace is a great kid,” Harper said of his teammate at NBA Draft media day Tuesday. “Whatever team (that) takes him is going to be very happy, very lucky. For both of us, this is a dream come true.”

Bailey, who averaged over 17 points and seven rebounds per game for Rutgers this season, came under fire in the pre-draft process for not holding workouts with certain teams and having a list of preferred destinations. Despite the concerns, he provides a much-needed boost on offense for an Utah team that won just 17 games this year, only two more than Bailey’s Rutgers team.

“This kid is one of the best to do it,” Monmouth head coach King Rice remarked after Bailey made his Rutgers debut against his team in November. “It’s amazing that he’s that talented as a young kid, and it’s cool that he’s at Rutgers. I watched him last year when he played against Camden (High School) and scored 50, and was like, ‘wow, how is this kid that good at that age?’”

While much was made of Bailey’s approach heading into the draft, no questions exist as to his potential or his future, where he will be able to make an immediate impact as the Jazz hope to move out of the Western Conference cellar.

“I just focus on the basketball part,” he said with regard to the questions about his workouts.

That is now all he needs to worry about.