Ace Bailey’s journey to Salt Lake City has been anything but ordinary. Fresh off an electrifying year at Rutgers, where he averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, Bailey arrived in Utah on Saturday. His arrival signaled the end of one saga and the beginning of another for the fifth pick in this year’s draft.
On Saturday, Bailey touched down in Utah with his family and representatives. Known for his electric skills and flair for the dramatic, the 18‑year‑old forward stepped out of a private jet on Saturday with the same confidence that earned him McDonald’s All‑American honors and a place on the Big Ten All‑Freshman Team.
Ace Bailey Touches Down in Utah Following NBA Draft Day Drama
Upon arrival, Bailey received a warm welcome from head coach Will Hardy at the airport. The Utaz Jazz posted a clip of Bailey’s arrival at the airport on their official X handle and wrote, “Ace on top da mountain. Welcome to Utah, @AiriousB! Let’s get to work.”
Ace on top da mountain 🏔️🎶
Welcome to Utah, @AiriousB! Let’s get to work 💜#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/iBz2eCPXRI
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 28, 2025
Just days after the June 25 NBA Draft, speculation swirled that Bailey might never pull on a Jazz jersey. He reportedly skipped workouts with all the teams ahead of the draft. Furthermore, he cancelled a scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, which pushed them to pick V.J. Edgecombe (No. 3) on Wednesday.
On Saturday, with Bailey now in Utah, Coach Hardy and his staff wasted no time and showed him glimpses into the life of an NBA player. Bailey went through a whole workout after reporting to the Jazz. The team’s official X handle tweeted pictures and clips from his workout and wrote, “He wasn’t kidding when he said he was ‘ready to get to work’. #TakeNote”
he wasn’t kidding when he said he was ‘ready to get to work’ #TakeNote | @AiriousB pic.twitter.com/sBKi8EmzY7
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 29, 2025
Before the draft, it was reported that Bailey and his team didn’t want to end up in Utah. After the pick was made and reporters asked him if he knew Utah was serious about drafting him, he told them, “I can control what I control. How they feel [is] how they feel.”
Andrew Witlieb, Bailey’s agent and president of sports marketing at GSE Worldwide, told Fox 13 News Utah on Friday that Bailey was “thrilled” about playing for the Utah Jazz. “He’s thrilled to be going to Utah,” Witlieb said. “Obviously, it’s an honor to be selected in the Top 5 of the NBA Draft, and we think he can do a lot of great things out there. We couldn’t be happier to be out in Utah.”
Did Ace Bailey’s Reps Ask Certain Teams to Stay Away From Him?
The New York Post reported that Bailey’s camp privately signaled to at least one team that the Rutgers star would refuse to report if selected by them. Although it’s unclear which team(s) were asked to steer clear of him, SBNation reported that this list included the Charlotte Hornets and the Utah Jazz.
Sources told SBNation that his camp’s desired landing spots were the Washington Wizards, the New Orleans Pelicans, or the Brooklyn Nets. Utah’s front office and head coach, Will Hardy, appeared to have remained steadfast in their handling of the situation though.
“One thing I will tell you, with confidence, Danny Ainge and his son, Austin, are not going to bend here,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said of the Jazz leadership on Thursday. “They’re not going to get pushed around. They do not care what the situation might bring. So, the idea that they’re going to pressure the Jazz into something, I don’t think, will be successful for Ace Bailey and his operation. But let’s see how the next 72 hours plays out.”
The stalemate spilled into the days that followed. While fellow first‑rounder Clayton Jr. reported to Salt Lake City’s practice facility on Thursday, Bailey did not. On Friday, all signs of discord began to dissolve. A Jazz spokesperson informed ESPN that Bailey had plans to report to the Utah Jazz the following day.
“Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow… This has always been the plan, including for our other rookies, Walter Clayton and John Tonje, to let them go home and collect their belongings, and then fly right to summer league from Salt Lake City,” the representative confirmed.
