As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, Ace Bailey’s camp maintains strong belief in his draft position despite limited pre-draft visibility.
The Rutgers freshman canceled a private workout and dinner with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this week, raising eyebrows across the league. However, the Sixers reportedly remain seriously interested in selecting the 6-foot-8 wing at No. 3 overall.
Bailey has not held any public pre-draft workouts, which is uncommon for a projected top-five pick. Yet his representatives appear unfazed by speculation surrounding his unconventional approach.
According to Shams Charania on The Pat McAfee Show, Bailey’s inner circle is confident he will land “exactly where he wants to be,” whether it’s as high as No. 3 or lower in the top 10.
Philadelphia, holding its highest pick since 2017, has been linked to Bailey throughout the process.
Bailey is ranked No. 3 on ESPN’s draft board after averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds as a freshman. His combination of size, scoring versatility, and defensive upside has kept him in the high-lottery conversation.
Complicating matters is the fact that Omar Cooper — father of former Hawks guard Sharife Cooper — has reportedly taken the lead on Bailey’s communication with teams, despite not being a certified NBA agent.
The Sixers, coming off a 24–58 season, are looking to add long-term help alongside Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George. Bailey’s fit as a two-way forward could address a key positional need for Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Dallas holds the No. 1 pick, followed by San Antonio at No. 2. Charlotte picks fourth, and Utah rounds out the top five in a class led by Cooper Flagg.
