Lock Mamba

Dylan Harper is projected to be the #2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and his college teammate Ace Bailey may not be far behind. The Rutgers duo combined to average 37 points per game last season, despite the team failing to make the NCAA Tournament.

Bailey was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team after averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He ranked eighth in the conference in scoring.

However, the NBA Combine didn’t do Bailey any favors. His measurements came in lower than expected at just 6’7.5” without shoes, significantly shorter than the 6’10” listed on the Rutgers roster.

Concerns remain about Bailey’s shot selection and whether he contributes to winning basketball. The Scarlet Knights finished just 15–17, even with two projected lottery picks on the roster.

Still, Bailey is one of the most talented prospects in the draft. He has the potential to become an NBA All-Star, with the size, versatility, and athleticism to play three positions at the next level.

At Rutgers, Bailey showed the ability to score in a variety of ways and hit tough shots over defenders. He scored 30 or more points in three games and made four or more three-pointers in six games, proving he can get hot from deep.

While VJ Edgecombe and Tre Johnson are popular picks for the #3 slot, I’m sticking with Ace Bailey landing in Philadelphia. He’d join a strong young core of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, alongside veteran stars Joel Embiid and Paul George.