Rutgers NBA Draft prospect Ace Bailey’s tumbling draft stock has taken another hit with damaging revelations about his character. The Scarlet Knights star, once projected as a top-three pick, now faces serious questions about his maturity and the negative influences surrounding the talented but troubled prospect.
Insider Jeff Goodman’s recent social media revelation has shed new light on Bailey’s draft slide. The polarizing prospect’s refusal to work out with top teams now appears linked to deeper character concerns that could reshape his professional future.
Character Concerns for Ace Bailey Surface as NBA Draft Stock Plummets
A social media post from basketball insider Jeff Goodman has provided crucial insight into Ace Bailey’s draft situation. Goodman’s source discussed the former Rutgers star’s concerning influences and immaturity issues affecting his draft preparation process.
One source on the Ace Bailey situation to @TheFieldOf68:
“Ace is a great kid. He’s just immature. Doesn’t take a lot of things seriously. The only thing he wants to do is play basketball. That kid genuinely loves basketball more than any person I’ve ever met. He’s just got…
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 24, 2025
Via Jeff Goodman, the source writes, “Ace is a great kid. He’s just immature. Doesn’t take a lot of things seriously. The only thing he wants to do is play basketball. That kid genuinely loves basketball more than any person I’ve ever met. He’s just got himself surrounded by some bad characters, so I’m not sure how it’s gonna play out for him.”
The revelation comes as Bailey’s draft positioning continues to fluctuate dramatically. Initially projected as a consensus top-three selection, the 6’10” guard has declined workout invitations from multiple lottery teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the third overall pick in the upcoming draft.
His representatives have communicated that they view Bailey as a top-three talent while seeking guaranteed playing time and a clear pathway to stardom from day one. This strategy appears designed to ensure Bailey lands with an organization that will prioritize his development and provide immediate opportunities.
The insider noted, “There are definitely some things he needs to get better at on the court, but I think he will just because he loves the game so much. If the right person is trying to help him and he takes it in, he’ll be fine.”
However, he also warned, “But I could definitely see it going the opposite direction too, just because of people in his ear. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.”
Bailey’s NBA Draft Uncertainty Creates League-Wide Concerns
Bailey’s unconventional approach has created significant uncertainty among NBA decision-makers. The former McDonald’s All-American has been described as the only U.S.-based prospect who hasn’t conducted team workouts outside the NBA Draft Combine, creating concerns about his commitment to the process.
The character concerns revealed by Goodman add another troubling dimension to an already complicated pre-draft situation for the talented but enigmatic prospect. Bailey is being represented by Omar Cooper, the father of former Auburn point guard Sharife Cooper, an arrangement that has raised eyebrows within NBA circles.
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The character concerns add another layer to existing questions about Bailey’s readiness for professional basketball. Despite averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds during his lone season at Rutgers, scouts have noted areas needing improvement, including his assist-to-turnover ratio and playmaking consistency.
The 6’10” freshman shot 46.0 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point range in 30 games.
Mock drafts now project Bailey anywhere from third to sixth overall, with some analysts suggesting he could slide further if teams remain concerned about his maturity. At just 18 years old, Bailey’s talent remains undeniable, but Goodman’s insights suggest his professional success may depend heavily on finding the right organizational fit.
The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Bailey’s draft position will be closely watched as teams weigh his considerable talent against the character concerns and workout absences that have defined his pre-draft process.