In the end, though, his slide didn't last too long, as the Utah Jazz scooped him up at No. 5, taking a chance on the best player on the board despite Bailey clearly having a different destination in mind. And it might be the best thing to happen to him.

Ace Bailey didn't expect to hear his name called by the Utah Jazz with the No. 5 overall pick on Wednesday night in Brooklyn. Leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, reports suggested that neither Utah nor Charlotte -- which held the No.

The Utah Jazz managed to surprise many during round one of the 2025 NBA Draft with their pair of selections on the first night, winding up with Rutgers' Ace Bailey at pick five, along with a trade up the board to Florida's Walter Clayton Jr.