Ace Bailey has recently been dubbed the most polarizing prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, a label that is only emphasized by his latest decision in a perplexing pre-draft process. The former Rutgers star has canceled a private workout and visit with the Philadelphia 76ers, which was scheduled for this weekend. This confirmation comes from a reliable league source, as reported by NJ Advance Media’s Adam Zagoria.
Bailey was set to fly into Philadelphia on Thursday for the meeting. However, reports indicate that he was “seeking a promise from the Sixers,” who hold the coveted No. 3 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, before agreeing to attend the workout, according to ABC6’s Jason Dumas. This decision leaves Bailey as the only United States-based prospect in this year’s draft pool who has yet to visit any teams during the pre-draft process.
According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Bailey has turned down invitations from several teams within his draft range. Givony currently places Bailey at No. 6 in his latest mock draft. This pre-draft strategy is a significant contributor to Bailey's polarizing status. Observers find it perplexing that Bailey has not conducted a single known workout to date, which raises questions about his approach to the pre-draft evaluation.
Sources indicate that Bailey’s camp has communicated to interested teams that they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft. However, Bailey also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, potentially feeling confident that a team will trade up to secure him at Nos. 3 or 4 if he falls in the draft. Some teams are left wondering whether Bailey has received assurances of being selected by a team currently outside the top 5, aiming for a situation that is more advantageous in terms of geography and playing time.
Despite Bailey's refusal to meet, the Philadelphia 76ers have not ruled out selecting him. Givony notes that the team's President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey, has a history of selecting players without a private workout, including star guards Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. Bailey's camp has reiterated to interested teams that they believe he is a top-three player and is eager to find a situation where he can maximize his full potential through ample playing time and usage.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. As the date approaches, all eyes will be on Ace Bailey to see how his unique pre-draft strategy impacts his overall draft position. Thank you for relying on us for journalism you can trust.
