NBA Draft: Utah Jazz take Bailey, Clayton Jr. in 1st round; BYU’s Demin No. 8 to Brooklyn
-
- Rutgers player Ace Bailey poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fifth by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York.
-
- BYU’s Egor Demin, left, reaches to slap hands with Kevin Young after being selected eighth by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York.
-
- Walter Clayton Jr. reacts after being selected 18th in the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York.
A trade up and selections at No. 5 and No. 18 turned some heads for the Utah Jazz, while BYU had a player taken in the top 10 in 14 years.
“18 picks into the Draft and Utah is the early winner so far,” ESPN draft analyst Bobby Marks posted on social media site X.
The Jazz took tall Rutgers freshman wing Ace Bailey with the No. 5 pick, then traded up from No. 21 to No. 18 to select point guard Walter Clayton Jr., who was the Most Outstanding Player in the 2025 NCAA Tournament in leading Florida to a national championship.
“I feel like I can improve on everything. I’m very young,” Bailey told reporters in New York, as reported by The Associated Press. “I’m just coming to the game, so it’s a lot of stuff I can improve, physically and mentally. I mean, from jump shots to more creativity, to more ballhandling, just all over the place.”
Clayton averaged 22.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists with 47.4% FG/43.5% 3FG/91.3% FT shooting splits in six NCAA Tournament games.
In between, the Brooklyn Nets took a chance on BYU freshman guard Egor Demin with the No. 8 selection. Demin is BYU’s fifth lottery pick selection and first since Jimmer Fredette in 2011. He’s one of two freshmen in Big 12 history (joining Trae Young) to average at least 10.5 points, 5.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game in one season.
No. 5: Utah Jazz — Ace Bailey, forward
6-foot-8, 203 pounds, Rutgers
Associated Press scouting report: Versatile, athletic shotmaker with midrange and stepback skills. Streaky shooter, had five January games with at least four 3s for defense-stretching potential, yet also notable skids at the foul line and behind the arc. Last season’s second-ranked recruit couldn’t lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Dylan Harper. Turns 19 in August.
ESPN‘s Jonathan Givony: No player in this draft can score like Bailey can when he is firing on all cylinders, and his combination of scoring instincts and explosiveness is hard to come by. Bailey, 18, has some rough edges to smooth out on both ends but has significant upside. He began to show the ability to impact games beyond scoring late in the season. — Jonathan Givony
No. 8: Brooklyn Nets — Egor Demin, guard
6-foot-8, 199 pounds, BYU
Associated Press scouting report: Russian playmaker with size. Averaged 5.5 assists, second among Division I freshmen. Had 15 assists against two turnovers in 54 minutes in the last two games for a Sweet 16 team. Must improve shooting (27.3% on 3s, 69.5% on free throws).
ESPN’s Givony: Demin capped an up-and-down season with a strong NCAA tournament and continued that momentum in the predraft process. His talent is undeniable, as his combination of size and passing ability is rare. He’s far away from reaching his physical potential, but his upside has obvious appeal and time is on his side.
No. 18: Utah Jazz — Walter Clayton Jr., guard
6-foot-2, 199 pounds, Florida
Associated Press scouting report: Senior combo guard. AP first-team All-American and Final Four’s most outstanding player in Gators’ title run. Gamer who elevated from averaging 17.2 points and 36.4% on 3-pointers in the regular season to 22.3 and 43.5% in March Madness. Began career at Iona.
ESPN’s Givony: Few players in recent memory have gone on a run quite like Clayton did as he carried Florida, making pull-up jumpers in bunches from well beyond the 3-point line and using his burst to put pressure on opposing defenses. His shotmaking, scoring instincts and confidence give him significant appeal as a combo guard, but his ability to become a more reliable playmaker and decision-maker to help compensate for a lack of defensive impact will be important in carving out a role long term.
