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Ace Bailey is expected to be one of the top five players picked in the upcoming NBA Draft. The former Rutgers star is taking part in the Combine this week ahead of that selection event.
His height measurements from the pre-draft process made immediate waves on social media. They came in much shorter than what was expected dating back to his time with the Scarlet Knights.
It is no surprise that college teams inflate the heights and weights of roster members. It’s something that’s seemingly gone on for years, across a number of different sports, for a number of different reasons.
Firstly, it gives off the impression of having a more imposing team. No high major team wants to be seen as inferior before stepping off the bus. Secondly, the process in which measurements are recorded differ from college to the professional level.
Players are measured barefoot at the NBA Combine as opposed to with shoes on. It causes most prospects to lose an inch or so when their pro heights are made public. Bailey had one of the largest discrepancies of any player at the top of the draft class.
Ace Bailey was much shorter at the NBA Combine.
Rutgers’ Ace Bailey’s official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:
6’7 1/2 barefoot, 202.8 lbs with a 7’0 ½” wingspan and 8’11″ standing reach pic.twitter.com/FzkhKA2cM1
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 12, 2025
The Rutgers forward was listed at 6-10 on his official Scarlet Knights bio. He came in nearly three inches shorter at the Combine. It was a concern for many leading into the event.
“Ace Bailey’s measurement at the combine I think is going to be one of the most anticipated measurements in recent prospect history because is he 6-10, or 6-8, or is he 6-7?
“There are NBA people who are like, ‘I’m not actually sure he is 6-10, and if he is not 6-10… that matters a lot… If he’s 6-7 or 6-8, I don’t know what that does for the draft order.”
Bailey’s height was perceived as an obvious advantage in his NBA Draft future. At 6-10, the combo guard/forward would be taller than a large group of his positional competition. At 6-7, that height is much less advantageous both on the offensive and defensive sides of the floor.
The wing is viewed as the overwhelming favorite to go No. 3 overall. There are those that suggest his recently revealed height could have a negative effect on his draft status as he was productive, but largely inconsistent, in his lone college season.
Despite the height dip, Bailey’s wingspan is still longer than 7-feet, and his standing reach is nearly 9-feet. We’ll see if any of this makes a difference for potential suitors.