Jazz Rookie Ace Bailey Arrives Utah After Draft Uncertainty

Ace Bailey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has officially arrived in Utah to join the Utah Jazz, dispelling earlier doubts about whether he would report to the team. Despite initially preferring to be drafted by Washington, Brooklyn, or New Orleans, Bailey was selected by Utah and has shown commitment by arriving on time and wearing Jazz gear, with public support from the team's president of basketball operations Austin Ainge and head coach Will Hardy. Bailey's pre-draft process was marked by reports of reluctance and his representatives advising teams not to draft him in the top five, but his agent Omar Cooper emphasized that these actions were standard and that Bailey underwent extensive interviews and workouts. Bailey expressed excitement about the opportunity to showcase his skills to Utah fans and is preparing to participate in the Salt Lake City Summer League starting July 5. The Jazz organization and its community, including ambassador Carlos Boozer, are optimistic about Bailey's potential as a key prospect since Gordon Hayward. Bailey is scheduled for a press conference with fellow draft picks, signaling the beginning of his NBA career with the Jazz.