Ace Bailey to the Charlotte Hornets? - Scouting Report Notes

Access James Plowright's personal scouting notes for projected Top 5 pick Ace Bailey

For the first time, I’m sharing my personal scouting notes exclusively for Buzz Beat+ subscribers, focusing on the top prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class. Each profile is divided into strengths and weaknesses, with detailed subsections—such as shooting, playmaking, defense, and more.

We’re kicking things off with Ace Bailey, who entered the cycle as my No. 3 overall prospect but has since slid to No. 6. I usually avoid overreacting to the draft combine, but in Bailey’s case, the event meaningfully shifted my evaluation.

Bailey’s offensive game leans heavily on shot-making, particularly shooting over defenders and converting tough looks. So when he measured in at 6’7.5” without shoes—2.5 inches shorter than his listed height of 6’10”—that raised concerns. With sneakers, he’s likely around 6’8.5”, which still puts him at a disadvantage when getting clean looks over NBA-caliber length and athleticism.

Equally concerning were Bailey’s combine interviews. His media presence came across as arrogant, immature, and lacking self-awareness. To be clear, that alone won’t tank a prospect—people said the same about Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball—but it’s something worth noting in the overall evaluation.

At this stage, I still consider Bailey to be in the same tier as Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe, and Jeremiah Fears—a group I believe projects as long-term starters with a realistic path to All-Star ceilings.

Now, let’s dive into the scouting report.