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Sixers Prospect Shows Off ’Tremendous’ Qualities at NBA Draft Combine

Potential Sixers pick impressed with his first day of NBA Draft Combine action.
Justin Grasso|
Jan 13, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) celebrates in front of guard Ace Bailey (4) during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Jan 13, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) celebrates in front of guard Ace Bailey (4) during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia 76ersRutgers Scarlet Knights

Now that the Philadelphia 76ers know they’ll have a selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, they can start truly scouting around their pick.

After ending the 2024-2025 NBA season ranked fifth in the lottery standings, the Sixers ended up moving to No. 3 overall as the ping-pong balls were drawn in their favor. The immediate thought was the Sixers would be in play to select Rutgers star, Ace Bailey.

On Tuesday, the NBA Draft Combine fired up shooting drills, which Bailey took part in.

via @DraftExpress: Ace Bailey doing the NBA star shooting 3-point drill at a very different pace with his tremendous footwork and shooting mechanics.

Bailey finished the three-point star drill by knocking down nearly 50 percent of his shots. He finished with the same percentage as another standout and potential third pick, VJ Edgebombe out of Baylor.

Along with his three-point star drill, Bailey also showcased some mid-range pullup shots as well.

Heading into his freshman season at Rutgers, Bailey was set to star alongside Dylan Harper. The two shined, as expected. They are now both viewed as potential top-three prospects.

Bailey started in all 30 games for Rutgers this past season. He averaged 18 points while knocking down over 50 percent of his twos. From three, Bailey averaged 35 percent while taking five attempts per game.

Along with his shooting and scoring, Bailey came down with seven rebounds per game. He also averaged one steal and one block throughout the year.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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