Dream Fits: Nets, 76ers, Cavaliers

Overall Grade: 61.56

Projected Position: SF/PF

Strengths:

• Unique ability to make highly contested shots using his length & elevation

• Good arm usage to create space & get in position to recieve post-up looks

• Good screen navigation positioning himself well to change speeds defending drives

• Good burst off flare screens & a quick shot motion along with good elevation, highly translatable

• Low & comfortable handle

• Good hustle for loose balls

• Tries to be physical in the paint with general success though still gets overpowered by bigger players

• Good vision & pass accuracy

• Good ball security on step throughs & traffic splits

• Good midrange game & use of baseline fadeaway

• Good timing & length usage on rebounds & tips

• Uses his length well to deny passes on traps

• Uses his arms well to generate turnovers when pressing up

• Good hustle in transition d using his length to get chasedown blocks

• Stays composed when trapped & waits until open dribble or pass is available

• Shows flashes of athletic finishing

• Comfortable movement shooter

Weaknesses:

• Unable to create space with his handle with regularity

• Poor ball security when gathering dribble on drives

• One-dimensional drives with limited ability to adjust to defenders & often forcing into traffic

• Poor strength on screens

• Drops too far defensively & makes a lot of unnesseccary help decisions in the paint

• Takes a lot of low quality contested looks that are off-platform missing by wide margins

• Gets pushed out of bounds on baseline drives trying to force a move

Scouting Report: Ace Bailey

Position: Forward (Small Forward / Power Forward)
Height/Weight: 6'10", 200 lbs
School: Rutgers University (Freshman, Class of 2024)
Draft Projection: Top 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

Overview:
Ace Bailey is a highly versatile forward with elite athleticism and a polished skill set. As one of the top recruits in his class, Bailey has quickly established himself as a dominant force in college basketball. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor makes him a highly coveted prospect.

Strengths:

• Scoring Versatility: Bailey can score efficiently at all three levels—inside, mid-range, and beyond the arc. His smooth shooting stroke and ability to finish through contact make him a reliable offensive weapon.

• Athleticism: With his size and explosiveness, Bailey excels in transition and around the rim. His quickness and leaping ability allow him to finish highlight-reel plays.

• Defensive Potential: Bailey's length and agility make him a disruptive defender, capable of guarding multiple positions and protecting the rim.

• Rebounding: He is an aggressive rebounder on both ends of the floor, using his size and instincts to secure boards.

• Basketball IQ: Bailey demonstrates a strong understanding of the game, making smart decisions and adapting to different situations.

Areas for Improvement:

• Consistency from Deep: While he has shown promise as a shooter, improving his three-point consistency will elevate his offensive impact.

• Strength: Adding muscle to his frame will help him handle physicality at the next level.

• Playmaking: Developing his passing and court vision will make him a more complete player.

Player Comparisons:

• Brandon Ingram

• Jayson Tatum

Summary:
Ace Bailey is a dynamic forward with the potential to be a franchise cornerstone in the NBA. His combination of size, skill, and athleticism makes him one of the most exciting prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. With continued development, he could become a dominant two-way player at the professional level.

Draft Range: 3-8

Projected NBA rookie role: Immediate shot-creating wing with 2-way abilities

Projected NBA position: Wing

Projected Rookie Statline (Pts, Reb, Ast, Blk/Stl): 15, 4, 1.5, 1.5 (Stl)

Strengths: Insane shot taking/making ability for his age and level, Great Athlete, Potential guard abilities, Long Arms on defensive side

Weakness: Slim frame, Raw/inconcistent defender, Questionable shot diet

Shades of/comp: Brandon Miller, Rudy Gay, Michael Porter Jr., Cam Reddish

Best outcome: Number 1 option with Great Shotmaking ability, Fills out body, Athleticsm and frame makes him a high level defender, Starts passing.

mid outcome: One way-ish offensive player with defensive liabilites and tunnell vision

worst outcome: Shot making doesnt translate to NBA level, negative defensive asset, stil doesnt pass

Name: Airious “Ace” Bailey

Projected Draft Range: Top 3 pick

Projected NBA Role: Dynamic scoring forward with defensive versatility

Projected NBA Position: Small Forward / Power Forward

Projected Rookie Statline: 10 PPG | 5 RPG | 1 APG |   

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Strengths: • Scoring Versatility: Bailey is an adept scorer at at the mid range and three point level. His 6’10” frame allows him to shoot over defenders, and he possesses a smooth shooting stroke, particularly from mid-range.  • Athleticism: Demonstrates exceptional fluidity and explosiveness, enabling effective transition play and above-the-rim finishes. His agility allows him to navigate defenses adeptly.  • Defensive Potential: With his length and lateral quickness, Bailey can guard multiple positions. He has shown promise as both an on-ball defender and a help-side shot-blocker.  • Rebounding: Averages 7.2 rebounds per game, utilizing his size and athleticism to secure boards on both ends of the floor. 

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Weaknesses: • Consistency: While capable of high-scoring games, Bailey’s shooting efficiency can fluctuate, particularly from three-point range. He also has stretches in games where he looks disinterested in playing. • Playmaking: Averaging 1.3 assists per game, he has room to improve in creating opportunities for teammates and enhancing his court vision.  • Physicality: At 200 lbs, adding muscle mass could help him withstand the physicality of the NBA and improve his effectiveness in the paint. • Finishing: There is so serious concerns regarding Ace’s ability to finish at the rim at the next level. He often doesn’t use his body when he gets downhill, and when he does shoot an layup he twists and turns for a layup. He also just doesn’t like even attempting finishes at the rim. Most of the time he tries and settles for a bad mid range instead of wanting the contact all the way to the rim. • Mentality: There is also some concerns regarding whether he has what it takes mentally to check out when things get tough in the NBA. For lots of the Rutgers season Ace seems disinterested in playing.

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Shades of / Comparison: • Paul George: Bailey’s scoring ability and athleticism.  • Brandon Ingram: His frame and offensive skill set resemble Ingram’s. ⸻

Games Watched:

1.    vs. St.Peters Peacocks (November 11, 2024)
2.    vs.  Notre Dame Irish (November 26, 2024)
3.    vs. Alabama (November 27, 2024)
    4.     vs. Texas A&M (November 30th, 2024) 
    5.     vs. Michigan St( January 25th, 2025) 
    6.     vs. Maryland(February 9th 2025) 
    7.     vs. Oregon( February 16th, 2025) 
    8.     vs. Michigan(February 27th,2025) 
    9.     vs. Minnesota (March 9th, 2025) 
    10.    vs. USC (March 12th, 2025)
    

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Ace Bailey seems like a really solid all-star potential foward that can fit into any team.

His scoring ability to find space is astonishing for any team to give them their offensive stability. His passing does let him down. Only 0.6 Assists per game for a SF is very low. He does make up for it with his scoring. He is currently averaging 18 7 and 1 this season. If any teams is in needing of a prolific scorer who can run the court and get boards and points is the right choice to go

Current Ranking: 3

Rating: B+

A long, athletic wing who is the best pure scorer in this class, Ace Bailey also has a crap-ton of things to improve upon. Solid 3-point shooter. He must use his physical tools better in the paint and on defense. He doesn't playmake off the dribble well and takes really bad shots. Needs to be more aggressive inside 12 feet and handle must get tighter. The ceiling is there, but the floor is low.

NBA Comps: Tracy McGrady, KD