Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell, whose team failed to make the NCAA Tournament despite having both Bailey and projected No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, raved about Bailey during an exclusive interview in April with NJ Advance Media.

The Rutgers star freshman duo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey likely will be selected early in next week's 2025 NBA draft, but not everyone is convinced of their abilities to turn a franchise around.

ATLANTA — Ace Bailey has been pegged as a can't-miss prospect since his time at Cobb County's McEachern High, an athletic 6-foot-8 forward who can score like few players in this year's NBA draft. His decisions leading up to the draft may send him slipping further down the lottery.