NEW YORK — Ace Bailey has labored out for zero groups and canceled on one, however the NBA draft prospect would not appear too bothered by any questions of his maturity.
“I can management what I can management. Me taking part in basketball,” Bailey mentioned Tuesday on the eve of the primary spherical of the draft.
Bailey largely deflected questions from the media Tuesday about how he has gone concerning the draft course of.
When particularly requested why he canceled a exercise with the Philadelphia 76ers, who maintain the No. 3 general choose, Bailey responded by saying: “I am simply blessed to be on this place I’m proper now. That is all. Take it day-by-day.”
When additional questioned about canceling with the 76ers, Bailey mentioned, “I am centered on basketball.”
A 6-foot-8 ahead who can rating like few gamers on this yr’s draft class, Bailey was as soon as projected as a top-three choose. As an alternative he might discover himself ready a bit longer than his fellow freshman teammate at Rutgers, Dylan Harper, who may go at No. 2 to San Antonio.
Of their newest mock draft, ESPN draft analysts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo have Bailey going No. 6 general to the Washington Wizards.
However Bailey’s actions — orchestrated by agent Omar Cooper — could possibly be inflicting doubt amongst NBA executives and even gamers.
Sixers star Paul George questioned Bailey’s path to the draft.
“I imply, I believe if I am Ace Bailey I can not get mad if my inventory drops,” George mentioned on “Podcast P with Paul George.” “However he is canceled all exercises. Like he hasn’t labored out for any group. So, I believe they made a giant deal ‘trigger we had been scheduled to work him out and he canceled the day of. However he hasn’t labored out for any group. However you are not ready to be making these calls for. Make it to the league first. It is for certain the individuals round him. I do not know who’s representing him, however I do not suppose they are going about it the suitable means.”
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 selected vacation spot in thoughts. Bilas famous NFL stars John Elway and Eli Manning manipulated their option to most popular groups throughout their draft years, so why not Bailey? It labored out simply high quality for these future Tremendous Bowl champion quarterbacks.
“I would not schedule one thing after which cancel out,” Bilas mentioned. “That is a query of professionalism, however he is 18 years previous, so he is navigating this course of for the primary time, so I am 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 shedding file 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.
Harper spoke glowingly of his Scarlet Knights teammate.
“He is the funniest teammate within the locker room,” Harper mentioned of Bailey. “If the power is down, he will convey the power up. Him within the locker room might be the most effective factor that is in all probability going for him. His power is contagious and you are going to really feel it whether or not you need to really feel it or not.”
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.