COLUMN: Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper 2025 NBA Draft scouting report
As the college basketball season plays out, NBA mock drafts have started to take shape. While many mock drafts have different opinions, freshman forward Ace Bailey and freshman guard Dylan Harper have remained a constant in the first three picks for most experts.
Bailey stands at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot wingspan and has the potential to be the number-one pick in the 2025 NBA draft. The reason behind the hype is Bailey’s deadly mid-range game. With his mid-range dominance, Bailey has averaged 17.5 points per game. Although he is a talented mid-range specialist, it is Bailey’s athleticism that has scouts excited. Bailey uses his height to make him a threat in transition, but it can also prove to be a disadvantage for him at times .
“(Bailey) dribbles high and plays a bit too upright," Evan Tomes of NBAdraft.net said. “(His) crossovers and changing directions with the ball aren’t always smooth."
This hinders Bailey in one-on-one situations where he relies on the midrange game too much, leading to poor shot choices often draped in defenders.
Harper is a 6-foot-7 ball handler with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and has been a top-pick candidate due to his ability to read defenses and ability to find open teammates. Harper’s passing ability has allowed him to average 4.6 assists per game while only surrendering approximately 2 turnovers per game. Arguably, Harper’s best attribute is his ability to slow down and accelerate in a moment, allowing him to control the game at his own pace.
Although Harper can make difficult shots, many scouts have noted that he can be more consistent beyond the arc, as he has shot approximately 33 percent from three. Harper’s athletic ability has been called into question as there have been concerns that he may not be able to guard quicker players.
Many of these concerns come down to a lack of experience, which will subside as the season progresses. As the duo play more games, only time will tell whether or not Harper and Bailey end up in the conversation of being top picks once their collegiate careers come to an end.
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