Ace Bailey has by no means had doubts about his NBA potential. The Rutgers standout, who was drafted No. 5 total by the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, opened as much as Matt Barnes about his NBA participant comparisons again in 2023.
Matt Barnes interviewed then-high-school stars Bailey and Derik Queen for “All of the Smoke,” and the dialog was shared on YouTube on August 12, 2023. Barnes requested No. 2 class of 2024 recruit Bailey about his MVP accolade at Steph Curry Camp and to clarify his sport.
“For many who are new to your sport, clarify to me what your sport is that if I would by no means seen you play,” Barnes stated. “What would you say your sport is like and might you evaluate it to anyone within the NBA?”
Bailey’s response was daring.
“I evaluate myself to Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum and Paul George,” Bailey stated. “I am 6’9″, I can deal with the ball, I can see the courtroom, I can knock down photographs, I can off the dribble … I can do all of it.”
Whilst a excessive schooler, Bailey was assured in his ability set, evaluating himself to a few of the greats. Now, he will probably be taking part in in opposition to Durant, Tatum and George within the NBA.
Ace Bailey drafted by the Utah Jazz after denying staff exercise
Ace Bailey’s predraft course of might not have turned out how he needed. The previous Scarlet Knights star was chosen No. 5 total by the Utah Jazz, regardless of refusing the staff’s exercise invitation.
Heading into Wednesday’s draft, Bailey was the one U.S. prospect who had not visited any NBA staff services. He denied exercise invites from the 76ers, Hornets and Jazz, who had the third, fourth and fifth picks, respectively.
Regardless of Ace Bailey’s lack of participation with these prime groups, his camp stated it felt “assured going into the draft course of.” This implies that the wing has been in communication with a staff outdoors of the highest 5 that was planning to draft him and provided an interesting plan for his long-term improvement.
It is unclear which staff Bailey hoped to be drafted to, however Utah used the No. 5 decide to draft Bailey, regardless of his refusal to attend staff exercises.
Bailey mentioned his ideas about being chosen by the Jazz in a press convention.
“I management what I management,” Bailey stated after being drafted. “How they really feel (is) how they really feel. However my staff and me, simply me specializing in the basketball and them doing what they doing, it occurs.”
Ace Bailey took an unpopular route along with his predraft course of, and it seems that it did not work out as he had deliberate.
alt=”Lindsey Ware” top=”72″ width=”72″>
Edited by John Maxwell
