Ace Bailey truly wants nothing to do with the Philadelphia 76ers — and now, apparently, their fans. Video has surfaced of the NBA prospect turning around and walking away from fans yelling at him to come to the 76ers.
The 18-year-old Rutgers product threw out the first pitch at Citi Field on Tuesday night before the New York Mets took on the Atlanta Braves. The 2025 NBA Draft is being held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday night.
As he was heading back to the stands, a couple of fans started yelling at him to come play for the 76ers. When he heard that, he immediately turned around and started walking the other way.
Yikes…
(via @Sixerdaily) pic.twitter.com/XOxldcJu6g
— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) June 25, 2025
Bailey, a 6-foot-8 forward, was originally projected to go to the 76ers with the third overall pick in the draft. However, over the past month, he has fallen down mock draft boards and canceled his pre-draft visit and workout with the 76ers last week.
The 76ers weren’t the only team Bailey refused to visit. He reportedly turned down numerous requests to meet with potential suitors.
“Bailey’s predraft workout strategy has perplexed some observers, as he has yet to conduct a single known workout to date, having declined invitations from several teams within his draft range,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony previously reported. “Sources say Bailey’s camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft, but also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, perhaps feeling comfortable that a team will trade up to get him at Nos. 3 or 4, should he drop.”
Givony has Bailey going to the Washington Wizards with the sixth pick. Meanwhile, the 76ers have reportedly zeroed in on Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe.
Matt Higgins worked in national and local news for 15 years. He started out as an overnight production assistant ... More about Matt Higgins