Ace Bailey Saga officially ended on Wednesday night when Utah jazz In the first round of 2025 selected Rutgars Star with number 5 pick NBA Draft, Selection came as a surprise Because Bailey did not operate any public pre-draft workout with Utah and allegedly canceled his loan pre-draft workout Philadelphia 76ers – Number 3 pick holder.

This bold strategy appeared by design. Belly’s representation, which includes agent Omar Cooper, drafted at least one team in the top five to not select Bailey and said that he would not report that if they do so, ESPN reported on Thursday.

In the days to the draft, reports suggested that Utah and Charlotte – who used to organize number 4 picks – were not among Bailey’s favorite sites. Washington wizards At number 6, the team was reported to go to the camp of Bailey. Asked if he knew that Jazz is seriously interested, Bailey said he “had no idea.”

2025 NBA Draft: Ace Bailey reacted to Jazz selected with surprisingly top-five picks

Kodi Nagal

“I can control what I can control,” Belly said. “They feel how they feel. But my team and me, I am focusing on basketball and what they are doing, so this happens.”

Decision to select Bailey – The most polarized player in the classroom – a bold but calculation decision for a team requiring aggressive firepower. Belly is one of the best pure scorers in the draft and the reverse to finish as one of the best players of his class is when it is all said and done.

Jazz owner Ryan Smith said during an appearance, “I think we are as a team where we are as a team, we want to take the best player on the board and we love Ace Bailey.” Pat McAfee Show, “I got a chance to talk to him last night. I saw a child who was humble, he was grateful, he was excited to start. NBAI think you can ask all this from our perspective. ,