Rutgers product Ace Bailey was widely considered one of the top three players in this year’s NBA draft class, but whispers are growing that the 6-foot-9 forward could slip in next week’s draft after he skipped a workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who own the third pick.
ESPN reported that the 18-year-old unexpectedly canceled his planned Friday visit with the 76ers and hasn’t met with any other teams. He’s the only American prospect who hasn’t conducted a predraft meeting.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the likely top choice, has met with the Dallas Mavericks, who won last month’s lottery. Other promising prospects, like Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe and another Rutgers player, Dylan Harper, have met with multiple teams.
In ESPN’s most recent draft board, Bailey went to the Washington Wizards at No. 6.
Landing Bailey — a 6-foot-9 sharpshooter — without having to trade up would be a coup for Wizards general manager Will Dawkins.
Despite finishing with the second-worst record in the league, Washington was unlucky in the lottery.
The long-rebuilding franchise dropped to the sixth spot, its worst potential outcome based on the NBA’s lottery format.
The Wizards hold the sixth and 18th selections in the draft, which begins Wednesday.