Rutgers Scarlet Knights star Ace Bailey is one of the most famous and exciting prospects entering the 2025 NBA Draft. The guard spent only one season in college before making the jump to the pros, where he’s expected to shine from the very beginning.
In a class full of talent, including Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, Bailey’s teammate Dylan Harper, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe and Maryland’s Derik Queen, among others, Bailey made a lot of noise during his first and only campaign at Rutgers.
The Scarlett Knights couldn’t compete against the stronger programs in college basketball last season, posting a 14-17 record at the end of the season, which included a first-round elimination in the Big Ten tournament against the USC Trojans. Their star duo is set to take the next step in their basketball journey and they’re getting a lot of praise in the process.
Carmelo Anthony showers Ace Bailey with praise
With the 2025 NBA Draft drawing closer, analysts, fans and former players continue to share their verdict on some of the prospects we’re going to see in the association. Carmelo Anthony, for instance, is fond of Ace Bailey.
Rutgers’ Ace Bailey
The former New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets’ star lauded the guard during a recent appearance on the “Podcast P” show with Paul George: “I love Ace,” Anthony said. “His skill set and his will to get to a spot to work on certain stuff. He’s relentless working on spots on the court.”
The Syracuse Orange legend said that Bailey’s game resembles other players, which is why he doesn’t get as much attention and credit as others.
“We’ve seen Ace before,” Anthony said. “That’s why it’s not talked about like that. We’ve seen Ace, we’ve seen PG, we’ve seen KG, we’ve seen Melo. That’s why it’s not talked about.”
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Bailey could be the first name to be called after Cooper Flagg goes to the Dallas Mavericks, but time will tell how soon he’s off the board.
SurveyWill he be a star in the NBA?
Will he be a star in the NBA?