Ace Bailey Withdraws from 76ers Visit
Ace Bailey, a standout player from Rutgers University, has opted out of a planned visit to the Philadelphia 76ers as he prepares for the NBA Draft, according to reports from ESPN. Bailey, who currently holds the position of the third top prospect on ESPN’s draft rankings, was scheduled to meet with the team’s executives for dinner and participate in a private workout in Philadelphia on Friday. However, he made the decision to withdraw from the engagement on Wednesday, sources revealed.
Draft Details and Bailey’s Unique Path
The 2025 NBA Draft is set to occur on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and this latest development adds an intriguing twist to Bailey’s pre-draft narrative. His withdrawal marks a somewhat unusual path in the lead-up to the draft, as he is the only American prospect who has not conducted any visits with NBA teams thus far. Bailey has reportedly turned down opportunities to meet with several teams likely drafting in the top range, specifically those picking between the third and eighth spots.
In contrast, other top prospects, such as Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, have already engaged with teams like the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, who hold the first two picks in the draft. VJ Edgecombe, ranked fourth by ESPN, has already worked out for both the 76ers and the Washington Wizards and has additional visits lined up.
76ers Remain Interested
Despite Bailey’s decision to cancel, sources indicate that the 76ers remain open to selecting him. The organization has been closely following his progress over the season, especially given that he plays collegiately just down the road in Piscataway, New Jersey, and previously met with the Sixers during the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. The team is expected to finalize their selection strategy in the coming week and appears unlikely to trade down from their No. 3 draft position.
Daryl Morey, the president of basketball operations for the 76ers, has a history of successfully picking players who haven’t had private workouts, such as Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. Bailey’s representation has communicated to prospective teams their belief that he is among the top three talents available in this draft class, emphasizing a desire for a situation that allows for significant playing time and opportunities for growth.
Possible Future for Bailey
If the 76ers and the Charlotte Hornets, selecting fourth, decide against drafting Bailey, his camp is optimistic that other teams, such as the Wizards, Pelicans, or Nets (picking sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively), may seek to trade up to select him. Notably, following these developments, ESPN’s latest mock draft places Bailey at the sixth pick by the Wizards after he had previously been projected to go second or third for a year.
