Ace Bailey fidgeted with a crimson yo-yo, catching the eyes of members of a media horde that pressed the previous Rutgers star to flash some tips. Dylan Harper, his former teammate and fellow doubtless NBA lottery choose, hovered close by and mentioned Bailey had certainly mastered yo-yo staples reminiscent of stroll the canine and the gravity pull.
Bailey, although, handed on placing on a present for the plenty.
“Catch me outdoors,” Bailey mentioned at a Manhattan resort.
How about that? Bailey declined once more within the run-up to the NBA Draft to showcase his skills.
Nonetheless simply 18 years previous, Bailey has changed into one of many extra vexing prospects heading into Wednesday evening’s draft. His expertise and infectious character are obvious each on video and in particular person.
However he is getting questions on his maturity as he enters the grownup world of the NBA.
Notably, Bailey canceled a scheduled exercise with the Philadelphia 76ers, who maintain the No. 3 general choose.
He has not had a public exercise for any group, a puzzling technique that bought him known as out by critics starting from present NBA gamers to analysts to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
A 6-foot-8 ahead who can rating like few gamers on this yr’s draft class, Bailey supplied little clarification Tuesday for his pre-draft decision-making.
Resembling, why didn’t he wish to work out for Philadelphia?
“I’m simply blessed to be on this place I’m proper now. That’s all. Take it day-by-day,” he mentioned.
OK, how does he take care of rumors that NBA entrance places of work are involved about him, or studies that he fared poorly in draft mix interviews?
“I can management what I can management. Me taking part in basketball,” Bailey mentioned.
Reminded that attending a exercise was inside his management, he mentioned: “I’m centered on basketball.”
As soon as projected as a top-three choose, Bailey might discover himself ready a bit longer than Harper, who would possibly go at No. 2 to San Antonio. Bailey doubtless will not plummet like Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders within the NFL draft, however his actions — orchestrated by agent Omar Cooper — could possibly be inflicting doubt amongst NBA executives.
They definitely raised an eyebrow for a possible future teammate, 76ers star Paul George.
“I imply, I feel if I’m Ace Bailey, I can’t get mad if my inventory drops,” George mentioned on his podcast. “However he’s canceled all exercises. Like he hasn’t labored out for any group. So, I feel they made a giant deal ‘trigger we have been scheduled to work him out and he canceled the day of. However he hasn’t labored out for any group. However you’re not ready to be making these calls for. Make it to the league first. It’s for positive the individuals round him. I don’t know who’s representing him, however I don’t assume they’re going about it the best method.”
ESPN NBA draft analyst Jay Bilas mentioned Tuesday he wasn’t bothered by Bailey declining to work out for groups if he and his agent had a particular vacation spot in thoughts. Bilas famous NFL stars John Elway and Eli Manning manipulated their solution to most popular groups throughout their draft years, so why not Bailey? It labored out simply superb for these future Tremendous Bowl champion quarterbacks.
Ace Bailey is among the high prospects within the 2025 NBA Draft. (Photograph by Wealthy Graessle/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)
“I wouldn’t schedule one thing after which cancel out,” Bilas mentioned. “That’s a query of professionalism, however he’s 18 years previous, so he’s navigating this course of for the primary time, so I’m not bothered by that an excessive amount of.”
Bailey averaged 17.6 factors and seven.2 rebounds in his lone season for Rutgers, which had a dropping report even with him and Harper. Bailey can assault the paint and stretch defenses along with his vary. He shot 34.6% from past the arc and had 5 video games in January with no less than 4 3-pointers.
Duke‘s Cooper Flagg and Bailey have been ranked 1-2 within the 2024 recruiting class by 247Sports, Rivals, On3 and ESPN. Now Flagg is the projected No. 1 general choose for Dallas whereas one Related Press mock draft had Bailey dropping to the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 7.
Harper, who’s anticipated to affix star Victor Wembanyama and Rookie of the 12 months Stephon Castle in San Antonio, dismissed any potential crimson flags with Bailey.
“He is the funniest teammate within the locker room,” Harper mentioned. “If the vitality is down, he’ll carry the vitality up. Him within the locker room might be one of the best factor that is in all probability going for him. His vitality is contagious and you are going to really feel it whether or not you wish to really feel it or not.”
Perhaps Harper’s scouting report is correct — however a handful of groups would have preferred to have discovered that out themselves.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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