With one week until the 2025 NBA Draft, Ace Bailey of Rutgers is taking a non-traditional route in his pre-draft preparation, leaving many uncertain about his potential landing spot.

Bailey, a forward who has been rated as high as the number three prospect in this draft class, has not participated in any workouts with NBA teams, as stated in a report from ESPN.

His team is the reason behind this strategy, stating, “they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft.” Bailey’s agent, Omar Cooper, is the C.E.O and Founder of LifeStyle Sports Agency.

This decision seems to have not sat well with many scouts and analysts. Despite not working out, Bailey remains an intriguing prospect due to his distinctive shot selection—often choosing early clock, contested jump shots, yet hitting them at a surprising rate.

In the modern NBA, where analytics favor layups and three-point shots, Bailey’s approach is increasingly uncommon and has led to negative perceptions.

Additionally, his team has communicated a desire for him to find a specific role that includes substantial playing time on whichever team selects him.

“(Bailey’s circle) is looking for a clear path to starter minutes and opportunity. They are optimistic that teams like Philadelphia or Charlotte, if they decide against him, will see others trading up to secure his draft position. The uncertainty surrounding his potential destination remains high.”

Bailey has a scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the third pick. However, reports indicate they might lean toward drafting guard VJ Edgecombe instead. Should Bailey not perform before the draft, his prospects could remain cloudy, as teams will have limited information to base their selections on.

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