Mar 9, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) slap hands with fans after the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Potential Sixers Pick Officially Declares for 2025 NBA Draft

Originally posted on Philadelphia 76ers on SI
By Justin Grasso | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 9:35 AM ET

The 2025 NBA Draft is approaching, and players are making their availability known as the early entry deadline nears. On Wednesday, another projected top-five pick made it clear he’ll leave the NCAA for the NBA in June, as Rutgers basketball star Ace Bailey declared for the draft.

via @ShamsCharania: Rutgers star freshman Ace Bailey has declared for the 2025 NBA draft, Bailey tells ESPN. Bailey is the No. 3 prospect in ESPN's NBA draft projections.

Rutgers star freshman Ace Bailey has declared for the 2025 NBA draft, Bailey tells ESPN. Bailey is the No. 3 prospect in ESPN's NBA draft projections. pic.twitter.com/UW18n4hk6z
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 23, 2025

Bailey, an 18-year-old guard born in Tennessee, was a five-star recruit just one year ago. Coming out of Georgia, where he attended high school, Bailey was regarded as a top-two recruit in the nation by all major recruiting platforms. He joined another five-star recruit, Dylan Harper, in taking his talents to Rutgers.

During the 2024-2025 NCAA season, Bailey appeared in 30 games for Rutgers. Seeing the court for an average of 33 minutes per game, Bailey made 46 percent of his shots from the field and knocked down 35 percent of his threes.

Bailey averaged 18 points per game, along with seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Most mock draft projections have Bailey falling no further than three. With Duke’s Cooper Flagg widely projected to become the No. 1 overall pick, the second and third slots have been a toss-up between Bailey and Harper. Currently, the Sixers are in the fifth spot, which could change depending on how the lottery plays out.

After finishing the 2024-2025 NBA season at 24-58, the Sixers have a 42 percent chance at a top-four pick. Their chances of landing the No. 1 pick are set at 10.5 percent, according to Tankathon.