The pre-draft whispers about attitude problems felt like distant noise as Ace Bailey was embraced by the man who believed in him most. Despite being a polarizing prospect who skipped team workouts and faced intense scrutiny, Bailey became the Utah Jazz’s fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
For months, Rutgers Scarlet Knights coach Steve Pikiell had passionately defended his star player against a storm of criticism. On draft night, that support was visible for all to see.
Coach Steve Pikiell’s Public Display of Support
The official Instagram account for Rutgers men’s basketball captured the emotional moment between Bailey and Pikiell with a post simply captioned, “Coach Pike showing love ❤️,” accompanied by NBA Draft hashtags.
The social media post showed the genuine affection between the player and his coach, instantly dispelling the negative narratives about Bailey’s character that had dominated pre-draft discussions for weeks.
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The embrace was the culmination of Pikiell’s months-long campaign defending Bailey against critics who questioned his maturity and approach. The young prospect faced backlash for reportedly declining workout invitations from several teams, including canceling a scheduled session with the Philadelphia 76ers, which raised questions about his maturity and commitment.
Pikiell had previously stated, “He’s the most talented guy in the draft.” He defended Bailey’s decision-making throughout the controversial pre-draft process, stating, “I don’t understand it. I talk to everybody. There’s never been an issue with a GM, they adore him.”
The coach’s public support went beyond simple loyalty. Pikiell also highlighted Bailey’s versatility, noting, “He can play all five positions. I’m not sure anyone else can do that in this draft.” He even compared Bailey’s shooting release to Ray Allen’s and praised his deep three-point range and mid-range game.
From Skepticism to NBA Success
Bailey’s journey to the fifth overall pick was not straightforward. The 6-foot-7.5-inch forward became the most polarizing prospect in the 2025 class after reportedly being the only American prospect who did not work out for any NBA teams. His representatives sought “a clear pathway to stardom” and preferred destinations like the Washington Wizards or Brooklyn Nets over the Utah Jazz or Charlotte Hornets.
The pre-draft drama led to significant questions about Bailey’s character and maturity. Some executives viewed him as a potential All-Star with elite shooting ability, while others saw him as a raw prospect with concerning decision-making. Despite all the noise, Bailey’s talent ultimately won out.
His college statistics of 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, combined with his 7-foot wingspan and exceptional shooting touch, proved too valuable to overlook.
Following his selection, Bailey appeared composed and expressed optimism about joining the Jazz organization. “I have a great circle that maintains the outside world while I just focus on the basketball part,” Bailey said when asked about handling the draft process.
Pikiell’s unwavering support through Bailey’s controversial pre-draft period demonstrated the deep investment coaches make in their players’ success, an investment that extends far beyond wins and losses into personal advocacy and character development.