Ace Bailey didn’t work out for any groups forward of the 2025 NBA Draft, and likewise canceled on the Philadelphia 76ers — who had the No. 3 choose on Wednesday night time.
However the ahead nonetheless went within the first spherical after he was drafted by the Utah Jazz.
Bailey was projected as a top-three choose. However his weird method of dealing with exercises and blowing off the one one he had scheduled caused for experts to query what he was doing.
ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony reported earlier this month that Bailey’s pre-draft technique “perplexed some observers.”
“Sources say Bailey’s camp has knowledgeable groups that they consider he’s a top-3 participant within the draft,” Givony wrote, “but additionally seeks a transparent pathway to stardom, maybe feeling snug {that a} group will commerce as much as get him at Nos. 3 or 4, ought to he drop.”
The best way Bailey went about his recruitment journey triggered 76ers star Paul George to query what the 18-year-old was doing, noting he’s not ready to be making calls for.
“I feel if I’m Ace Bailey I can’t get mad if my inventory drops,” George lately mentioned on “Podcast P with Paul George.” “However he’s canceled all exercises. Like he hasn’t labored out for any group. So, I feel they made an enormous deal as a result of we have been scheduled to work him out and he canceled the day of. However he hasn’t labored out for any group.
“However you’re not ready to be making these calls for. Make it to the league first,” he continued. “It’s for certain the folks round him. I don’t know who’s representing him, however I don’t assume they’re going about it the fitting method.”
Bailey showcased his offense in his lone season at Rutgers when the 6-foot-8 ahead averaged 17.6 factors and seven.2 rebounds per recreation whereas taking pictures 34.6% from 3-point vary.
