Utah Jazz selects Chattanooga native Ace Bailey as fifth pick in 2025 NBA draft

Just days after the NBA Finals wrapped up, fans are now looking ahead to the league’s draft.

Teams are looking at several young players, including Chattanooga native Ace Bailey, who was the 5th pick.

Bailey played at Boyd Buchanan School in Chattanooga for his freshman year of high school and later transferred to Powder Springs in Georgia.

The Utah Jazz drafted 18 year old Bailey as the fifth pick in the first round.

Bailey stunned several NBA teams and players by not working out or interviewing with any teams.

But it doesn’t seem like that was much of a concern for Utah.

Bailey had five January games with at least four 3s for defense-stretching potential, yet also notable skids at the foul line and behind the arc.

Last season’s second-ranked recruit couldn’t lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Dylan Harper.

Bailey turns 19 in August.