Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey has formally moved on from the person who guided him by way of one of many strangest pre-draft processes in current reminiscence.
Bailey has parted methods with supervisor Omar Cooper simply three months after the 2025 NBA Draft, in accordance with The Athletic.
The 19-year-old ahead is now interviewing new illustration, although he has not made a last determination.
Cooper was on the heart of Bailey’s turbulent draft buildup. Regardless of being projected as a top-five decide, the Rutgers product was “the one U.S.-based prospect in all the draft” to refuse exercises and interviews with NBA groups. Experiences even surfaced that Bailey’s camp “instructed one group choosing within the prime 5 to keep away from drafting his shopper.”
That plan was regarded as an try to steer Bailey towards the Washington Wizards, who held the sixth decide. As an alternative, the Utah Jazz took him at quantity 5, ignoring the noise.
Whereas the connection seemed rocky at first, issues stabilized as soon as Bailey reported to Salt Lake Metropolis. He rapidly flashed his potential in Summer time League, exhibiting “a couple of flashes of greatness in two video games earlier than being sidelined with an damage.”
Cooper, who is just not an authorized agent, was extensively believed to be the driving pressure behind Bailey’s refusal to have interaction with groups earlier than the draft. Transferring on from him now indicators a shift for the rookie, as he focuses on constructing belief and continuity with the Jazz.
“Bailey is reportedly in search of new illustration and has already carried out some interviews, although hasn’t settled on a alternative but,” The Athletic famous.
For the Jazz, Bailey’s determination to separate with Cooper is probably going a optimistic step. After a controversial draft journey, the rookie ahead has the possibility to let his play do the speaking, and depart the behind-the-scenes drama firmly previously.
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