Latest news with #AceBailey
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Sixers forward confused by prospect Ace Bailey's draft process
Rutgers star Ace Bailey figures to be a high draft pick in the 2025 NBA draft on June 25 as he is one of the top prospects after Duke phenom Cooper Flagg and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper. With that logic, he should be selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 3 pick, but it isn't a foregone conclusion. Bailey, named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team in 2024-25, had a workout scheduled with the Sixers, but he canceled at the last minute. Philadelphia could still select Bailey at No. 3 as a lack of workout has not deterred them before--Tyrese Maxey in 2020 and Jared McCain in 2024--but it is strange that Bailey has not only not worked out for the Sixers, but he hasn't worked out for anybody. Former Philadelphia forward Marcus Morris Sr. admitted some confusion over Bailey's draft process: If I'm Ace Bailey, I'm working out. I'm like 'I'm a basketball player. This is what I do'… I want to answer those questions for myself. I want to get in front of people. Even if they don't draft me, or if you don't draft me to this team, you still have a long career. You can still end up back there… You've gotta think about the long-term game. This is one year. This is the draft. You can't tell somebody 'I'm not trying to workout'. These are all NBA teams, and that's for your future. You're probably going to be doing the workout by yourself. How easy can that be? Knock down some Js, work to my strengths, and I can speak on my own behalf, so in my opinion, Ace Bailey is a little bit over the top. I can't say that it's him. It might be his representation. The Sixers still have some due diligence to do on a lot of these prospects with the draft still five days away, but it's obvious that Bailey has a lot of talent regardless of his lack of a workout with any team. That hasn't deterred the Sixers before, so one has to wonder if history will repeat itself in this situation.
Associated Press
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Rutgers' Harper headlines a bevy of 1-and-done guards set to go high in the NBA draft
There's a deep set of high-end guard prospects in the upcoming NBA draft. Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper is positioned to be the first name called after projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, while Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Texas' Tre Johnson, Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears and Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis are possible top-10 picks as one-and-done prospects. Here's a look at the guards entering Wednesday's first round: Dylan Harper, Rutgers STRENGTHS: The 6-foot-5, 213-pound son of former NBA guard Ron Harper has size at the point and two-way potential. The lefty thrived as a scorer (19.4 points) with athleticism to finish at the rim, score on stepbacks and hit catch-and-shoot looks. Notably, he went for 36 points in an overtime win against Notre Dame, then 37 more a day later in a loss to then-No. 9 Alabama during the Players Era Festival in November. Harper is a playmaker with good court vision, averaging 4.0 assists. He also averaged 1.4 steals, including six against Southern California and four more against a ranked Illinois team in February. CONCERNS: He shot 33.3% on 3-pointers while launching 5.2 per game, though shot selection against contested looks didn't always help. There's also the optics of being the NBA-bound floor leader on a team that finished with a losing record despite featuring a second one-and-done talent in forward Ace Bailey. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor STRENGTHS: Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends, notably as an above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. The 6-4, 193-pound Edgecombe finished in the combine's top 10 with a 38.5-inch max vertical leap, had seven games with at least three made 3s and 11 games with three-plus steals. 'I think for freshmen, the universal (issue) is just being able to sustain the level of intensity required as long as they're on the court,' Baylor coach Scott Drew said recently. 'The size, length, speed is one thing, but just to be able to compete each and every play, it's a different level. And VJ has that.' CONCERNS: Edgecombe shot just 34% on 3s, though Drew said Edgecombe could see gains after refining his shot mechanics. He could also improve in shot creation, such making just 25% (13 of 59) in off-dribble jumpers, according to Synergy's analytics rankings. Tre Johnson, Texas STRENGTHS: The 6-5, 190-pound Johnson averaged 19.9 points to lead all Division I freshmen, as well as being the Southeastern Conference's overall scoring leader. The highlight was Johnson going for 39 points against Arkansas in February to break Kevin Durant's Longhorns freshman single-game record. He thrived off screens (shot 52.1% in those scenarios to rate in the 91st percentile in Synergy) and shot 39.7% from 3-point range, including 12 games with at least four made 3s. He also shot 87.1% at the foul line. CONCERNS: The 19-year-old could use some bulk on a slender frame to help him hold up against bigger and stronger opponents at both ends. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma STRENGTHS: The combo guard pressures defenders with his ball-handling and space creation, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He got to the line 6.3 times per game and ranked tied for 11th among all Division I players by making 183 free throws. Fears also had a knack for clutch plays, including a four-point play to beat a ranked Michigan team along with a tough late scoring drive for the lead in the SEC Tournament loss to Kentucky. CONCERNS: He needs to get stronger (6-3, 180) and improve his outside shot. He made 28.4% of his 3s, including nine games of going 0 for 3 or worse. Reducing turnovers (3.4) would help, too. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois STRENGTHS: Jakucionis brings size (6-5, 205) and an all-around floor game to the perimeter. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists with four double-digit rebounding games and eight games with at least seven assists. He was also one of the nation's best freshmen at getting to the foul line (5.1 attempts per game). CONCERNS: Jakucionis shot just 31.8% on 3s, including 5 of 22 (22.7%) in four bright-spotlight games during the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. He averaged 3.7 turnovers — sixth-most in Division I, most among freshmen — and had 13 games with at least five turnovers. Others of note: — EGOR DEMIN: The BYU freshman from Russia is a possible lottery prospect as a playmaker with size (6-8, 199), known for elite passing and vision. He averaged 5.5 assists to rank second among all Division I freshmen. — JASE RICHARDSON: The Michigan State freshman and son of former NBA guard Jason Richardson is small (6-1, 178), though the first-round prospect is a 41.2% 3-point shooter. — NOLAN TRAORE: The 6-5, 175-pounder is a scoring playmaker from France. The first-round prospect had previously drawn interest from programs like Duke, Alabama and Gonzaga. — NIQUE CLIFFORD: The 6-5, 202-pound Clifford spent three years at Colorado then two at Colorado State. The first-round prospect is older (23) but had career-best numbers last year (18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 37.7% on 3s). — BEN SARAF: The 6-6, 201-pound lefty from Israel is a scoring playmaker and first-round prospect. He averaged 12.8 points and 4.6 assists last season with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. — CEDRIC COWARD: The 6-5, 213-pound senior started at Division III Willamette, spent two years at Eastern Washington, had an injury-shortened season at Washington State and was set to transfer to Duke. Now he's a first-round prospect after testing well at the combine. — WALTER CLAYTON JR.: The 6-2, 199-pound combo guard was a first-team Associated Press All-American and Final Four's most outstanding player in Florida's national title run. He's a first-round prospect and gamer who thrived in pressure moments. — DRAKE POWELL: The North Carolina freshman wing has perimeter size (6-6, 195), athleticism, 3-point range and defensive potential to be a possible first-round pick. He has a 7-foot wingspan and had combine-best marks in standing and max vertical leap. — KAM JONES: The Marquette senior and potential first-rounder was a finalist for the Cousy Award presented to the nation's top point guard after averaging 19.2 points and 5.9 assists. He missed two games in his career. ___ AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins in Texas contributed to this report. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Nets interested in trading up for Rutgers' Ace Bailey
The Brooklyn Nets have less than one week to decide which player they will be taking with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft that begins next Wednesday. Brooklyn probably disliked the fact that they went from the sixth spot to the eighth in the Draft, but they could be looking to get around that result. "Sources say the Washington Wizards (who will select sixth), New Orleans Pelicans (seventh), and Brooklyn Nets (eighth) are interested in moving up to take him," Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote in his article pertaining to Rutgers forward Ace Bailey. Bailey has been in the news lately for reportedly cancelling a workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, something that is sure to rub some people the wrong way. Advertisement While some people are understandably skeptical of Bailey given that he hasn't worked out for any team yet ahead of the Draft, the talent that he has is something the Nets may not want to pass on. At one point following the conclusion of the college basketball season, Bailey was considered the favorite to be the No. 3 overall pick, after Duke forward Cooper Flagg and Rutgers Dylan Harper. Bailey, 18, is coming off a 2024-25 season at Rutgers with averages of 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 46.0% from the field and 34.6% from three-point land. Bailey, listed at 6-foot-8 and 203 pounds, appears to have the kind of skill set that could his game to mold into the likes of 76ers forward Paul George or Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller. "With the buzz around Jeremiah Fears ultra positive, Ace Bailey could slip a few spots to No. 6," Jonathan Wasserman wrote during his latest mock draft for Bleacher Report. "His shot selection and answers to certain questions at the NBA combine have raised some questions." Based on Pompey's reporting, Brooklyn may not have to find a way to get from No. 8 to No. 3 anymore, but they will have to hope that the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans don't take Bailey first. In fact, Wasserman has the Wizards taking Bailey with the sixth overall pick because "at No. 6, he's too talented for the Wizards to nitpick." This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Report: Nets interested in trading up for Rutgers' Ace Bailey
Fox News
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Top NBA Draft prospect Ace Bailey cancels 76ers visit, hasn't met with any NBA teams: report
Rutgers' Ace Bailey is considered by many to be the No. 3 overall prospect leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, with many expecting him to go to the Philadelphia 76ers – the team that owns the pick. But Bailey has reportedly canceled a visit to meet with the team and have a private workout with them just one week before the draft, according to ESPN. Even stranger, Bailey hasn't met with a single NBA team, begging the question as to why. Bailey was reportedly going to fly to Philadelphia to have dinner with the team's front office and then participate in a private workout. It's common for NBA Draft prospects to do so, much like any other league, in order to get acclimated to their potential team. But Bailey has reportedly been declining invitations from numerous NBA squads, all of which are in the top-10 on the draft board, making him the only U.S.-based prospect not to meet with a single team outside the NBA Draft Combine. The Sixers have reportedly not ruled out selecting Bailey, and ESPN noted that Daryl Morey, the president of basketball operations with the Sixers, selected current guards Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain without hosting a private workout before past drafts. So, the same can be done with Bailey, who averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 33 minutes per game for the Scarlet Knights in a lackluster year compared to where many believed them to be preseason. Bailey's camp has also reportedly been telling teams they believe the dynamic guard is a top-three selection in this draft, though they want to make sure he goes to a team that will have him play right away. Only Duke's Cooper Flagg, who figures to be the first overall selection by the Dallas Mavericks, and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper, who is the consensus San Antonio Spurs pick at No. 2, are above Bailey in most mock drafts and prospect rankings. A team could come flying up the draft board to get Bailey if they feel he can make an immediate impact. But Bailey is creating a lot of mystery and speculation by not meeting with teams less than one week before the NBA Draft kicks off at Barclays Center on June 25. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ace Bailey labeled the 'NBA's Shedeur Sanders' as he cancels workouts and fans predict worrying draft slide
Former college basketball standout and current draft prospect Ace Bailey has been labeled the ' NBA 's Shedeur Sanders' after he canceled a workout, with fans predicting a similar slide for where he will be selected. Bailey was expected to have a private workout and a visit with the Philadelphia 76ers this weekend. However, according to multiple reports, that visit has now been cancelled. The 76ers have the No 3 overall pick in this month's NBA Draft, with picks Nos 1 and 2, belonging to the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs respectively, likely choosing Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper. Bailey had long been considered the third best prospect in the draft, with his cancelation of meeting with a high-drafting team showing a red flag to fans. Bailey is now being branded as the most polarizing prospect in the draft, as he is the only US-based prospect in this year's pool who has not visited a team in the pre-draft process. It's a little bit of deja vu to reported dissatisfaction from NFL teams that led Sanders from being a top prospect to his selection in the fifth round of the draft and No 144 overall. I think Ace Bailey might be the NBA's Shedeur Sanders… At one point, projected as a top 3 pick maybe even 2 Seen as arrogant and cocky during the pre draft process Canceled meetings and tried to direct where he landed How far could he slide? 10? He's definitely going to lose some high draft pick money. Apparently he didn't watch the NFL draft. Never been more right on any prospect. Dude is a walking red flag. Gives bizarre interviews, keep rejecting workouts, came in 3 inches shorter than expected, shot diet and decision making is a concern. Good luck to anyone who drafts him top 4 Bro 100% has a promise from Charlotte, Utah or Washington A collection of social-media messages about Bailey possibly being the NBA's Sanders According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, Sanders' unenthusiastic approach to certain interviews 'rubbed some teams the wrong way' beforehand. 'At some of those [combine] meetings with certain teams that maybe Shedeur Sanders didn't really want to go to, I was told that he more or less sandbagged in those interviews,' Jones said in April. 'I don't know if he didn't take them seriously, what it was, but he did not give it his all in some of those interviews.' According to ABC 6's Jason Dumas, Bailey was 'seeking a promise from the Sixers' before committing to attend a meeting. That follows on from ESPN's Jonathan Givony projecting the Sixers would draft Baylor shooting guard VJ Edgecombe third overall. Meanwhile, he projected Bailey would fall to the sixth overall pick with the Washington Wizards. 'Bailey's predraft workout strategy has perplexed some observers, as he has yet to conduct a single known workout to date, having declined invitations from several teams within his draft range,' Givony wrote. 'Sources say Bailey's camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft, but also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, perhaps feeling comfortable that a team will trade up to get him at Nos. 3 or 4, should he drop. 'Some teams question whether Bailey has received assurances of being selected by a team currently outside the top five, to a situation deemed more advantageous from a geographic and playing time perspective.'
