Honestly, if you’ve been following the NBA draft cycle lately, you know the name Ace Bailey has been everywhere. But there is a weird amount of confusion floating around because history has a funny way of repeating its own nomenclature. If you’re looking for the high-flying, jersey-selling sensation of the modern era, the Utah Jazz drafted Ace Bailey with the 5th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
But wait. If you’re a hockey nut or a sports historian, that name probably triggered a different memory. That’s because the "original" Ace Bailey—Irvine "Ace" Bailey—was a legend for the Toronto Maple Leafs nearly a century ago.
It’s a bit of a trip how one name can bridge two completely different centuries of sports drama. Let’s break down exactly how the modern Ace Bailey ended up in Salt Lake City and why that old-school hockey connection keeps popping up in Google searches.
The Utah Jazz and the 2025 NBA Draft Shocker
The 2025 draft was supposed to be a two-horse race. You had Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, the two "monsters" out of Rutgers, basically holding the keys to the kingdom. For a long time, scouts were arguing that Bailey might even go number one. He has that "it" factor—a 6’9” frame with a wingspan that seems to go on for days and a jumper that looks like it was designed in a lab.
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When the draft board finally settled on June 25, 2025, the Utah Jazz were sitting at the five spot. Most people thought Bailey would be long gone. But as the names started coming off the board—Dylan Harper going to the Spurs at number two, for instance—Utah found themselves with a golden opportunity.
Danny Ainge isn't exactly known for playing it safe. He saw a kid who could score at all three levels and snatched him up. It wasn't without drama, though. There were those weird rumors floating around that Bailey didn't want to go to Utah, or that he’d rather play in Italy than deal with the Salt Lake winter. Bailey basically laughed those off at his introductory press conference, saying he trusts his process and his work ethic.
Why the Rutgers Connection Matters
You can't talk about who drafted Ace Bailey without talking about Rutgers. It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Rutgers isn't exactly a "blue blood" basketball school like Duke or Kentucky. Yet, in 2025, they had two of the top five picks in the NBA draft.
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Bailey’s season at Rutgers was legendary. He averaged 17.6 points and over 7 rebounds a game. He and Dylan Harper were basically a two-man wrecking crew. The Jazz didn't just draft a player; they drafted a guy who had already proven he could carry the scoring load in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball.
Quick Stats: Ace Bailey’s Rookie Impact (2025-26)
- Height: 6’9”
- Draft Position: 5th Overall
- Drafting Team: Utah Jazz
- Early NBA Stats: Roughly 10.1 PPG and 3.2 RPG through his first 34 games.
He’s currently a rookie in the 2025-26 season, and while he’s had some shooting struggles (shooting around 43% from the field), the flashes of brilliance are there. He’s already putting up double digits in some games, like a 15-point performance against Dallas recently.
The "Other" Ace Baileys You’re Probably Finding
If you’re confused because you saw a link saying Ace Bailey was drafted by the Boston Bruins, you aren't crazy. There are actually two major figures in NHL history with that name.
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- Irvine "Ace" Bailey: This is the Toronto Maple Leafs icon. He didn't even get "drafted" in the modern sense because the NHL draft didn't exist in 1926. He signed as a free agent with the Toronto St. Patricks (who became the Leafs). He’s the guy who had the first jersey number ever retired in professional sports (#6) after a tragic, career-ending hit by Eddie Shore.
- Garnet "Ace" Bailey: This Ace was actually drafted. The Boston Bruins drafted Garnet Ace Bailey 13th overall in 1966. He went on to win Stanley Cups and, tragically, was on United Airlines Flight 175 during the September 11 attacks.
So, if someone asks you "who drafted Ace Bailey," your first response should probably be: "Which one? The basketball star or the hockey legend?"
What the Jazz Expect from Their Ace
Utah is in a full-blown rebuild. They’ve got Keyonte George and Cody Williams, but they needed a focal point. They needed someone who can take a contested, turnaround jumper with a hand in his face and make it look easy. That’s what Bailey brings.
The front office is banking on his ceiling. He’s got that Kevin Durant-lite vibe. He’s long, he’s mobile, and he’s got a "pure" touch. Even KD himself has gone on record saying Bailey is a "pure, pure talent." When the best scorer of our generation says that about a kid, you listen.
How to Track His Progress
If you want to see if the Jazz made the right call, you’ve gotta look past the box score. Watch how he handles the ball in isolation. Watch his defensive rotations—that 7-foot wingspan allows him to recover on plays where most rookies would be blown by.
What to do next:
- Watch the Jazz highlights: Check out his "shot-making" ability on YouTube. He’s not a "safe" player; he takes the tough ones.
- Follow the Rookie of the Year race: Even though he’s on a rebuilding team, his scoring volume might keep him in the conversation.
- Look at the 2026 outlook: The Jazz are likely headed for another high pick. Imagine pairing Ace Bailey with another top-tier talent in next year's draft.
The Utah Jazz took a swing on Ace Bailey because they believe he’s a franchise-changer. Whether he becomes the face of the NBA or just another "what if" depends on how he develops that raw talent in the Salt Lake City system. But for now, the answer is clear: Utah is his home.