#2 Ace Bailey
6'9 | Forward | Rutgers | 08/31/2006
Cerebro Player Profile: Ace Bailey
Big Board Rankings 1.0 (@ twitter):
Evaluation by: @12jmendel
The tantalizing offensive tools that Ace possesses have drawn comparisons to elite superstars like Paul George. Ace can score from virtually anywhere on the court. His remarkable length and ability to hit contested shots give him an air of unguardability when he gets going. He’s just as lethal as a catch-and-shoot option as he is when putting the ball on the floor, which bodes well for his long-term status as an NBA player. Combine that with a nasty first step and a developing handle, and you have the makings of a potential superstar. He can utilize his height to find crosscourt passes, slinging overhead lobs directly over defenses to shooters.
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However, there are some flaws in his offensive game that need to be addressed. While his makes are electric, his shot selection can be shaky at times. His confidence can be a double-edged sword; it can lead him to do too much with the ball, but it’s also what makes him so potent. His ability to create space can be inconsistent, given the developing nature of his handle. When he attacks, he can be erratic, which is to be expected considering his age and size. He’s still relatively skinny, which could pose challenges when facing college and NBA athletes. His lack of strength has slightly hampered his ability to generate space in his limited college sample size so far, but he still has plenty of time to grow into a more NBA-ready frame.
Defensively, Ace is a monster. He effectively utilizes his length in space as a disruptor. He’s mobile enough to guard multiple positions, and his versatility will be highly valued as he progresses to the next level. His physical strength is more evident on the defensive end; he can hold his ground in the paint during drives, and his combination of length and athleticism allows him to disrupt weakside drives. For a top prospect, his defensive work ethic is phenomenal. He takes pride in his ability to guard, and it shows in transition, where he is unwilling to give up on plays. He’s aggressive on the glass and willing to fight for rebounds.
One area with room for improvement on the defensive end is navigating screens. He needs to be stronger when working around screens if switching isn’t an option. Given his length and slender frame, this will be a challenge, but if he can learn to slide around screens effectively, it will bode well for him until he fills out and is less likely to get stuck on them.
There are definitely some concerns about Ace. The erratic and inconsistent nature of his performances, combined with his slender frame, is worrisome as he faces stronger competition. He’ll need to tighten his handle and become more comfortable as a playmaker to justify his potential role as a number one option at the next level. However, the tools he possesses, combined with his ability to utilize them at his height and age, are extremely unique. He may face some growing pains early in his career, but based on his attitude and level of shot creation, he’s an obvious top-three pick.