Ace Bailey headed to the 2005 NBA Draft in style, and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper was happy to hype him up.
Bailey is one of the most intriguing names in this year’s draft that’s taking place at Barclays Center on Wednesday night, with the Rutgers star and his rep reportedly trying to steer who he’s drafted by, meaning all eyes will be on him throughout the night.
He was rocking a dark suit with a red pocket square and red shirt, with the inside of the suit jacket customized to include a Rutgers logo.
In a video posted by the NBA, Harper — anticipated to go No. 2 overall — seemed to be impressed by the suit as the two met up and dapped one another up.
He further reacted when Bailey showed off the inside of his jacket.
Bailey reportedly does not want to go to the 76ers, Hornets or Jazz, who have the third, fourth and fifth overall picks, respectively.
He addressed reporters Tuesday ahead of the draft and avoided directly discussing any specific teams.
“It’s just a blessing to just play basketball every day,” he said.
Critics have seized on Bailey’s handling of the pre-draft process, but ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that his camp feels Bailey will “land exactly where he wants to be.”
“He’s either got a method to the madness or all the critics are right,” Charania said. “And I do think there is enough evidence right now that shows, between three and eight somewhere in that range, someone will draft Ace Bailey. It might not be where he wants to go.”
Duke star Cooper Flagg is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Mavericks after they shockingly won the NBA draft lottery and Harper is expected to go second overall to the Spurs.
Rumors have swirled that the Nets could make a trade to try and move up in the draft to take Bailey.