Rutgers forward Ace Bailey is seen as a potential top-five pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. However, whether he will be picked that high remains uncertain. The 18-year-old star, compared to Brandon Ingram, is the only prospect based in the US who has not participated in any pre-draft workouts.

Could he face a drop in the draft?

When asked about how he is handling the scrutiny, Bailey responded, “I’m just working on basketball, that’s all I’m focused on so far.”

He was further queried about whether his decision to skip the workouts had led to misunderstandings about his commitment. “I can only control what I can control,” he told reporters, emphasizing that his focus remains solely on basketball.

Bailey’s situation has garnered attention, with influential figures like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressing their concerns. He stated, “I just don’t like that. He’s got great talent, but if you’re not dying to be here, I don’t want you to be here.”

Paul George, a key player for the Philadelphia 76ers, also commented, indicating that Bailey’s cancellation of workouts raised questions about his readiness for the NBA.

In his last season, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, making him one of the standout freshmen in a generation. Despite the red flags raised by his decision to skip workouts, FanDuel Sportsbook currently favors him to be selected at No. 6 overall.