Arguably no draft expert was higher on the Jazz’s first round selection than Adam Finkelstein, who gave the Jazz an A grade for Bailey and an A- grade for Clayton. Bailey, he wrote, may have the highest upside of any player in the draft.

The Utah Jazz cashed in on their first top-five draft pick in over a decade with their decision to draft Rutgers' wing Ace Bailey at fifth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, despite any and all noise that surrounded him in the days before his selection.

Rutgers star Ace Bailey had "no idea" he was on the Utah Jazz's radar prior to the team picking him fifth overall in the 2025 NBA draft.