Projected top-3 pick Bailey declares for draft

Rutgers star Ace Bailey is declaring for this year's NBA draft, he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony.

Bailey, a projected top-3 pick, trailed only Duke phenom Cooper Flagg on the ESPN 100 for 2024. He's the highest-ranked recruit ever to commit to the Scarlet Knights.

Bailey showcased his shotmaking and defensive potential during his lone college season, averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 boards, 1.3 blocks, and one steal across 30 appearances.

"I could have done way better, but I matured this season," Bailey said. "The game slowed down for me. My IQ got higher. I got faster and way stronger. My ball-handling and shooting tightened up. Rutgers had me guarding everyone from point guards to power forwards. I learned a lot."

Bailey had at least 30 points in three Big Ten games, including a 39-point outburst versus Indiana. His 527 points on the season were the second most by a true freshman in program history.

Bailey was named to the All-Big Ten third team and the conference's All-Freshman team. The 6-foot-10 wing was one of 20 players on the Wooden Award late midseason watch list.

"I'm nowhere close to reaching my potential," Bailey said. "I'm still young, still learning, but I'm working every day. My playmaking is improving. NBA teams will get an energetic player ready to talk, lead, and put people in the right positions. I can take a good team to a better level."