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Rutgers’ Ace Bailey is considered by many as No. 3 overall prospects for up to the 2025 NBA draft, with many expecting him to go to the Philadelphia 76ers team that owns the election.
But Bailey has reportedly canceled a visit to meet with the team and have a private training with them only a week before the draft, according to ESPN.
Yet stranger, Bailey has not met with a single NBA team begging the question of why.
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Ace Bailey talks with the media during the 2025 NBA draft combined on Marriott Marquis Chicago. (David Banks-stated images)
Bailey reportedly had to fly to Philadelphia to have dinner with the team’s front office and then attend a private workout. It is common for NBA draft to do so, like any other league, to be acclimated to their potential teams.
But Bailey has reportedly dropped invitations from several NBA troops, all of which are in the top-10 on the draft, making him the only US-based prospect of not meeting with a single team outside the NBA draft Combine.
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Sixers has reportedly not excluded choosing Bailey, and ESPN noted that Daryl Morey, the president of basketball operations with Sixers, chose current guards Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain without hosting a private training before previous draft.
ACE BAILEY (21) participates in the 2025 NBA draft combined in the WinTrust Arena. (David Banks-stated images)
So the same can be done with Bailey, an average of 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 33 minutes per hour. Fight for Scarlet Knights in a deficient year compared to how many thought they were the forecast.
Bailey’s camp has also reportedly told teams that they believe that the dynamic guard is a top-three selection of this draft, though they want to make sure he goes to a team that makes him play right away.
Only Duke’s Cooper Flagg, which expects to be the first overall choice of Dallas Mavericks, and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper, who is consensus San Antonio Spurs selection on # 2, is over Bailey in most spotted drafts and views.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Protects Ace Bailey (4) runs a play on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in a first round game of 2025 Tiaa Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament between USC Trojans and Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indian apolis. Hawkeyes defeated Buckeyes, 77-70. (IMagn)
A team could come flying up the draft to get Bailey if they feel he can have an immediate influence.
But Bailey creates a lot of mystery and speculation by not meeting with teams less than a week before the NBA draft starts at the Barclays Center on June 25.
