Rutgers Star Ace Bailey Schedules NBA Draft Workout with Sixers

As rumors continue to swirl surrounding Rutgers star guard Ace Bailey and his refusal to work out for several teams so far in the 2025 NBA draft process. The Philadelphia 76ers announced that the highly touted prospect is scheduled to attend a workout for the team on Friday, which comes after previous reports that Bailey refused a workout with the team before Tuesday’s announcement. The Sixers currently hold the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Bailey’s Draft Stock Sees Slight Decline

Before reports about Bailey’s refusal to work out with several teams, the former McDonald’s All-American was widely seen as a certified top 5 pick in the draft. However, since those reports surfaced, it has become rather unclear if Bailey is a lock for the top 5. Recent mock drafts by ESPN’s NBA draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo have the Rutgers Freshman falling to the sixth spot in the lottery. While that new projection may be alarming, Bailey is still a betting favorite by FanDuel sportsbook to go within the top 5.

Where Bailey Could Land in the Draft

According to a report by ESPN’s NBA draft expert Givony, Ace Bailey’s camp feels comfortable with where they are at in the draft. “Bailey’s camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top 3 player in the draft, and are feeling comfortable that a team will trade up to get him at either the No. 3 or No. 4 spot,” Givony wrote. FanDuel sportsbook also gives the second-best odds to be selected at either number 3 to the Sixers, or at the 4th spot to the Hornets behind Baylor star guard V.J. Edgecombe.

Final Thoughts

With the NBA draft just over a week away, the top of the draft order outside of the top 3 is becoming less and less concrete as it draws near. Duke superstar Cooper Flagg and Rutgers second highly touted prospect in Dylan Harper are seen by many draft experts as the clear-cut top 2 picks in this year’s draft. Which means players projected to be taken in the lottery could see their placement in the draft vary heavily in either a positive or negative direction. Expect to see even more movement in a variety of mock drafts before next Wednesday.