Rutgers forward Ace Bailey has canceled his scheduled workout and meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to multiple reports.
Jonathan Givony and Shams Charania reported on ESPN that Bailey, the No. 3 prospect on ESPN’s draft board, was expected to fly to Philadelphia for a private session and dinner with team executives on Friday. He informed the organization on Wednesday that he would not attend.
Bailey has yet to visit or work out for any NBA team ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, which begins on June 25.
His unorthodox pre-draft strategy has left several front offices uncertain about his intentions. Givony noted on NBA Today that Bailey is “the only player who has yet to conduct a single workout to this point.”
Philadelphia holds the No. 3 overall pick in the draft—its highest selection since 2017—and has been linked to Bailey in several mock drafts.
Bailey’s camp remains firm in its belief that he is a top-three talent, according to Givony, and is reportedly seeking a situation that provides both immediate playing time and a clear path to development.
The Sixers, coming off a 24–58 season, are entering a pivotal offseason centered around reshaping their roster around Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George.
Several teams behind Philadelphia are actively researching prospects in the top tier of the draft.
Bailey, a 6-foot-8 wing, averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds during his freshman season at Rutgers, displaying elite athleticism and two-way potential.
His ability to guard multiple positions and play in transition has drawn attention from scouts, though evaluators have also noted areas needing improvement, such as shot consistency and playmaking decisions.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman previously projected Bailey as a strong candidate for the Sixers, citing his physical tools and scoring versatility.
It is currently unclear if Bailey will meet with any team before draft night.
