Rutgers Star Ace Bailey Enters the NBA Draft After Freshman Year.

Rutgers freshman phenom Ace Bailey, widely projected as a top-three pick in the upcoming NBA draft, has officially announced his decision to enter the professional ranks. The talented forward confirmed his plans to ESPN on Wednesday, also revealing his partnership with agent Omar Cooper of Lifestyle Sports Agency.

In a heartfelt statement, Bailey expressed his gratitude to the Rutgers community. “I want to thank everyone at Rutgers,” he said, acknowledging the fans, his teammates, coaches, support staff, and even the security team. “Everyone pushed me to get better every day, to be the best version of myself. I am thankful for everything they did for me. I felt a lot of love from everyone.” He also fondly recalled his college experience, appreciating the student section, game atmosphere, and the highs and lows of the season.

Bailey’s decision comes after a stellar freshman campaign that saw him named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and earn third-team All-Big Ten honors. He averaged an impressive 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, forming a formidable duo with fellow projected top-two pick, freshman guard Dylan Harper. Together, they spearheaded a Rutgers team that, despite limited talent elsewhere, managed a 15-17 record.

Reflecting on his season, Bailey stated, “I did good. I could have done way better, but I matured this season. The game slowed down for me. My IQ got higher. I got faster and way stronger. My ball handling and shooting tightened up. Rutgers had me guarding everyone from point guards to power forwards. I learned a lot.”

Standing at an imposing 6-foot-10, Bailey showcased exceptional scoring ability, particularly his long-range shooting, connecting on 47 three-pointers in 30 games and exploding for over 30 points three times in Big Ten matchups. As one of the youngest prospects in the draft, not turning 19 until August, he combines relentless aggression and intense defense with his natural scoring instincts.

Looking ahead, Bailey believes he has significant untapped potential. “I’m nowhere close to reaching my potential,” he asserted. “I’m still young, still learning, but I’m working every day. My playmaking is improving. NBA teams will get an energetic player ready to talk, lead, and put people in the right positions. I can take a good team to a better level.”

Currently in Atlanta preparing for the pre-draft process, Bailey is diligently studying NBA games and closely observing the play of stars like Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His next steps include the NBA draft combine in Chicago from May 11-18, with the highly anticipated NBA draft scheduled for June 25-26 in New York City.