Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell, whose team failed to make the NCAA Tournament despite having both Bailey and projected No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, raved about Bailey during an exclusive interview in April with NJ Advance Media.

The Sixers have considered drafting VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, and others at No. 3. “But Ace is the only player in the top five that can do everything that teams want,” a league executive said.