Ace Bailey hasn’t reported yet to the Utah Jazz, but he plans to do so before the start of Summer League training camp beginning on Monday. Bailey had reportedly preferred to be selected by the Washington Wizards at No. 6 and tried to avoid the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets and the Jazz ahead of them.
Bailey’s new representative cleared the air on his status amid speculation he may not report to the Jazz.
“He’s thrilled to be going to Utah,” Andrew Witlieb of GSE Worldwide told Front Office Sports. “Obviously, it’s an honor to be selected in the top five of the NBA Draft.
“We think he can do a lot of great things out there. He certainly should get a ton of playing time, and he’ll have a lot of chances to show what he can do. So we think it’s a great situation for him basketball wise.”
Bailey was represented in the pre-draft process by Omar Copper, who tried to direct him to the Wizards.
“This was led by his longtime manager Omar Cooper, who we’re partnering with on this,” Witlieb said.
“And Omar really focused more on fit, rather than going third in the draft. He wanted somewhere where Ace could have the best possible basketball fit for his game and we think Utah is one of the best places he could’ve gone.”
The Jazz also confirmed Bailey’s intent to report to the team ahead of Summer League.
“We’ve had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives,” the Jazz told ESPN. “We feel good about everything. Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow. We’ll have a press conference Sunday, and a practice Monday.”
