Rutgers should be well-represented at the top of the NBA Draft next month.
One would be hard-pressed to find a mock draft sans Rutgers’ freshman duo safely tucked safely inside the top 10. And Despite Cooper Flagg being the almost-unanimous first pick of analysts new and old, one ex-NBA All-Star feels Rutgers, and not Duke, boasts the country’s best player with the highest upside and most NBA-ready game of anyone who will join the association this summer.
“I like Ace Bailey,” said four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins on “Run it Back” on FanDuel TV. “To me, Ace Bailey is the No. 1 pick. I think he’s the closest thing we’ve seen to a Tracy McGrady.
“But, I don’t see (Dallas Mavericks general manager) Nico (Harrison) — there’s no way he keeps that pick,“ Cousins said, meaning Bailey could land elsewhere but still be the first pick. “With everything (Harrison has) already said on record as far as his window for winning a championship, it just doesn’t logically make sense.”
Ace Bailey is listed at +1200 on FanDuel to be the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Our complete FanDuel Sportsbook review shows you how to sign up and get started.
Sure, the Mavericks hold the draft’s top pick. But, like ex-NBA guard Lou Williams argued, after trading all-world Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis in February, the choice might not be Harrison‘s to make.
“You’re in Texas,” blurted co-panelist Chandler Parsons. “You already got rid of one great white hope, you can’t get rid of the next.”
Star Rutgers lead guard Dylan Harper earned a shoutout, too.
“I love Harper,” Chandler added. “Harper is a stud, too.”
Todderick Hunt covers Sports and Culture and Recruiting. Have a story idea or a tip? He can be reached atthunt@njadvancemedia.com.
