Ace Bailey’s pre-draft process hasn’t helped the 18-year-old guard too much at all. In fact, it’s fair to assume it’s only hurt his stock.
Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, there have been a number of red flags raised by Bailey’s rather unusual road to the league — including canceling workouts and refusing to meet with teams. Just hours before the draft, Bailey made another bold claim about his prep that left fans and evaluators unsure what to make of it all.
The Rutgers star reportedly said he’s added 20 pounds of muscle to his body since his college season ended in March. That’s, uh, shocking, to say the least.
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A lot of observers had trouble believing it.
This feels…very difficult to believe. Bailey weighed in at 203 at the combine. Even if he added 10 pounds since then, he was listed at 210 at Rutgers? Do we think the Rutgers weight was off by…20 pounds? That’s aggressive even by college measurement standards? https://t.co/UGhpF0FV9v
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) June 25, 2025
Bailey was listed at 210lb at Rutgers, then weighed in at 203lb. To believe he’s added 20 pounds of muscle in 4 months, or even less time since the combine seems very unlikely https://t.co/SDzVjb3Lyo
— James Plowright (@British_Buzz) June 25, 2025
Gained 20lbs and lost 3 inches of height 😂😂 .. cmon man his pre draft PR has been terrible to say the least https://t.co/2lAdlgfZcW
— G … (@MrGGlenn) June 25, 2025
It’s hilarious how impossible this to do in that period of time unless you are absolutely juicing lol
Could definitely add 20 lbs, but def not of muscle. Maybe 5 lbs of muscle https://t.co/iovdhdOH3W
— Zach Rudeen (@zachrudeen) June 25, 2025
Maybe Bailey is telling the truth. Maybe Bailey misspoke. Maybe he had his facts wrong. Either way, you really don’t want to create any surprises for scouts and front offices just before they are about to invest in you.
Asked specifically on Tuesday about his pre-draft controversies, Bailey sidestepped the question.
“I’m just blessed to be in this position I am right now,” Bailey said. “That’s all. Take it day-by-day.”
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ace Bailey bewilders NBA with bizarre draft day physique claim