Latest news with #AceBailey
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Collin Murray-Boyles & Ace Bailey Could Be In For A Draft Fight
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 29: Ace Bailey #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dunks the ball against ... More the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 29, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by) In the NBA draft, you'll always find teams with varying approaches to what type of player they're actively looking for. Some teams might lean a bit on positional need (although virtually no one opts for that if the talent discrepancy is vast), others will prioritize "NBA readiness" (i.e. age), and some will look at physical tools more than they focus on floor game, and vice versa. Given vast possibilities of how teams may rate a player, it should come as no surprise if teams differ greatly on Ace Bailey and Collin Murray-Boyles. Broadly speaking, Bailey out of Rutgers projects as an offensive-minded forward, with significant scoring upside, despite measuring out worse than expected at the combine. He averaged 17.6 points per game for the season, and was trusted to playing over 33 minutes per game, all while carrying a significant scoring responsibility. Bailey's inside/outside offensive touch, as well as his age (he won't turn 19 until August 13th), are certainly attractive factors. Who wouldn't want to pick a player who could become a type of version of Carmelo Anthony one day? Of course, he might also not turn into the next Carmelo. There's a world where Bailey becomes a backup wing scorer, who grabs the occasional rebound, and does little else. With Murray-Boyles, there's never the fear that he won't offer a team multiple elements. Let's get to the drawbacks first. Murray-Boyles is already 20, so he's more than a year older than Bailey, which does suggest there's less squeeze in the bottle of potential. He's also not much of a long-range shooter (26.5% on limited volume), and his offensive game flat-out doesn't come as easy to him as it does to Bailey. And... that's kind of it. In every other facet of the game, Murray-Boyles projects as superior - and far superior in quite a few categories. Defensively, he's a game-changer and a Day 1 NBA defender. His physical playing style also allows him to bully people to the rim, and forcing himself to the line, which has proven to be a solid counter for when the jumper isn't sticking. His playmaking is also far ahead of where Bailey's is, with the same being true of his overall touch inside the arc, particularly near the rim. Murray-Boyles' 16.8 points in 30.6 minutes compares well the raw scoring line of Bailey, but that should be taken with a grain of salt, given how easily Bailey can get to his shot, whereas Murray-Boyles has to work far more to get off quality looks. Every team considering Bailey over Murray-Boyles does so with the idea of Bailey exploding into one of the best offensive forwards in the NBA. Because he'd almost have to be to justify picking him over a player with so many more avenues to succeed. Will general managers have the guts to swing big for Bailey, or the safety net of Murray-Boyles prove more attractive? We'll learn a lot more in the weeks to come. Unless noted otherwise, all stats via PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Philadelphia 76ers draft big board 3.0: The best fits at No. 3
Philadelphia 76ers draft big board 3.0: The best fits at No. 3 The Philadelphia 76ers were rewarded with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft following a tough 24-58 season. The Sixers entered the season with championship expectations, but injuries decimated the roster and derailed any chances the team had at seriously contending for a title. As they head into this draft, there are plenty of options for the Sixers to look into. The goal for them is to get younger and add a player who can help them bounce back and turn things around. Philadelphia should be looking into every option in order to take the next steps forward toward title contention. Here is the second draft big board with the draft now just four weeks away. If one wants to see big board 1.0, it can be seen here and 2.0 can be seen here. With that said, let's get into big board 3.0: 1. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor 2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.6% FG, 34% 3FG Previous ranking: 2 Many will be clamoring for Ace Bailey, and he will be a top option for Philadelphia, but Edgecombe could be the better player. He is supremely athletic, able to take any defender off the dribble, and attack the basket, and he is more than solid defensively as he is aggressive at the point of attack and can create turnovers. He is an outstanding worker, and even though there are some finishing issues at the basket, he is somebody who can contribute on that end right away. In terms of his catch-and-shoot ability, a skill needed on a team with Joel Embiid on it, he shot 45-for-124 (36.3%) on catch-and-shoot 3s per Synergy Sports. However, he did shoot 21-for-45 (46.7%) when unguarded on those attempts. It shows that he can knock down and open look should it be needed. That shows he has a lot of shooting upside for his position and should be a great option. 2. Ace Bailey, Rutgers 2024-25 stats: 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg, 1.0 spg, 46% FG, 34.6% 3FG Previous ranking: 1 Let's get one thing straight: Bailey is not Kevin Durant. It doesn't mean he isn't going to be a good player, but he is not Durant. He has good measurements with star potential, but the knock on him is that he settles for bad shots and the fact that Rutgers did not make the NCAA Tournament. Despite having Bailey, and Dylan Harper, the Scarlet Knights finished 15-17 and barely made their own conference tournament in the Big 10. With that being said, Bailey figures to be a great NBA prospect with his length, finishing ability, and athleticism. In terms of his catch-and-shoot percentages, he shot 36-for-93 (38.7%) on those opportunities from deep. He shot 29-for-66 (43.9%) on those attempts while he was guarded. It shows that he has the skill and the want to take and make tough shots. There is a lot to like about his game, but there are some rough edges he needs to smooth out. 3. Kon Knueppel, Duke 2024-25 stats: 14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.0 spg, 47.9% FG, 40.6% 3FG Previous ranking: 4 Knueppel has shot up draft boards and when considering the Sixers could use another playmaker, he makes a lot of sense. Either way, if the Sixers are thinking spacing and elite shooting, then Knueppel should be their guy. He has a high basketball IQ being able to navigate off screens to get himself open for looks, he competes on the defensive end, and he is an underrated passer. There are defensive limitations so he may not grade out as a starter in some cases, but he is for sure a rotation player in this league due to the shooting ability. He shot 77-for-178 (43.3%) on catch-and-shoot 3s and was an impressive 36-for-84 (42.9%) on those attempts while guarded. He cannot do the things Bailey, Edgecombe, or Tre Johnson can do, but Knueppel should be on the radar of president Daryl Morey and Co. should they decide to trade down and add to the depth of the roster--which is another need for this group. 4. Tre Johnson, Texas 2024-25 stats: 19.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 42.7% FG, 39.7% 3FG Previous ranking: 3 Johnson has his flaws, but scoring and shooting certainly aren't one of them. He has an ability to light up the scoreboard at any moment by taking defenders to the basket, being able to knock down tough 3s, and he can shoot off the catch or off the dribble. If the Sixers are thinking a microwave scorer, then Johnson should be their guy. One can argue that he isn't worthy of a No. 3 pick, but he has skills that will translate to the NBA level. As mentioned, he shot 51-for-125 (40.8%) on catch-and-shoot 3s. He was 32-for-77 (41.6%) on those attempts while guarded. Even off the dribble, he shot 38-for-99 (38.4%) on those 3-point attempts. He is an electric player and the Sixers should certainly give him a look before they decide on a player with this selection. 5. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma 2024-25 stats: 17.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.6 spg, 43.4% FG, 28.4% 3FG Previous ranking: Not ranked These NBA Playoffs have shown the value of having three ball-handlers on the floor at times. One has to believe the Sixers are watching the playoffs with the idea that they can get to that level if they can bring in another ball-handler in the lineup. Fears fits that mold as somebody who can get the job done on the offensive end by running the offense and making things go smoothly. Fears was able to produce good numbers in the tough SEC and improved as the season wore on. Overall, he shot 36.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s and is an elite passer out of the pick-and-roll. If the jumper continues on an upward trajectory, then he is going to stick in this league for quite some time. The Sixers could always use another player with a high IQ to make life easier for the stars and Fears fits that mold. 6. Khaman Maluach, Duke 2024-25 stats: 8.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.3 bpg, 0.2 spg, 71.2% FG Previous ranking: 5 Maluach would be an option for Philadelphia should it want big man depth behind Embiid. With that being said, the Sixers do expect veteran Andre Drummond to exercise his player option for 2025-26 so he figures to return, and there is already young big man Adem Bona who made a name for himself as a rookie. However, Maluach stands at 7-foot-2 and the Sixers could always use some more size off the bench which has been an issue in the past. With that being said, Maluach is a bit raw offensively as he limited to putbacks and lob dunks off the pick-and-roll. While he does have soft hands to make all of this work on the offensive end, the Sixers would need him to add some type of jumper to his game. Philadelphia needs versatility out of its big men and Maluach would have to add to his game in order to stick.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Could a former Eagles UFL success spark discussions about a possible reunion?
Could a former Eagles UFL success spark discussions about a possible reunion? As you're reading this, the Philadelphia Eagles have started another phase of their offseason workout program. As OTAs begin, there's so much to talk about, not only about what's happening at the NovaCare Complex, but what's going on with Philly sports in general. Following a 2-0 win over the hated Atlanta Braves one day after Memorial Day, the Phillies have won ten of their last 11 games. They lead the New York Mets as the top team in the National League East, and as June approaches, thoughts will soon shift to the 2025 NBA Draft, where the 76ers own the third overall selection. In the City of Brotherly Love, however, the Eagles are typically the top story. Why discuss Ace Bailey when we can toss around theories about one of the best players in the UFL? Oh, and by the way, he's a wide receiver who once played for, you guessed it, the Philadelphia Eagles. Should the Eagles care that one of their former WRs has reinvented himself in the UFL? The UFL is set to enter its final week of action this coming weekend. Truth be told, they've produced some good football if you've been paying attention. One of the standouts was once a member of the Eagles' roster, and he's been doing some great things during spring football for a while. The Birmingham Stallion was named the most valuable player of the 2023 USFL Championship Game. He was part of the Stallions team that won the UFL Championship in 2024. He's currently third in receiving yards this season (491). He ranks third in yards per reception, and he ranks second in touchdown receptions with six trips to the end zone. Deon Cain enjoyed stints with Philly in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He never caught a pass in an Eagles game but boasts nine receptions and 124 yards receiving for his NFL career after spending some on-field time with the Indianapolis Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Might Philadelphia consider a reunion? The truth is that they probably shouldn't unless they're looking for training camp bodies as the summer wears on. The UFL is a long way from the National Football League in terms of competition and talent, and Cain's success while playing spring football probably has little bearing on how well he'd transition to football's highest level. We could debate whether Cain is better than Elijah Cooks, Darius Cooper, Danny Gray, Taylor Morin, or Giles Jackson. It's doubtful, however, that he's overtaking Terrace Marshall for a roster spot. He certainly isn't stealing any playing time from A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Ainias Smith, or Johnny Wilson on an Eagles squad that will probably carry six wideouts on the 53-man regular-season roster. That means Cain's ceiling is a spot on the Eagles' practice squad. If he's willing to compete for that designation, discussions about a possible reunion are feasible. Otherwise, this is a conversation we can end pretty quickly.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony Gives Cooper Flagg Backhanded Compliment Ahead Of NBA Draft
Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony has respect for stud NBA prospect Cooper Flagg. However, he also seems to think the massive hype he has received heading into next month's NBA Draft is because of the color of his skin. The 2025 NBA Draft is next month, and Duke star Cooper Flagg is the undisputed pick to go No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks. Rutgers standout Airious 'Ace' Bailey is projected to go second or third in the event. But during a new edition of his '7 PM In Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony,' the NBA great suggested that if Bailey were the same complexion as Flagg, he might be getting more attention before the draft. Advertisement 'Ace Bailey — we've seen Ace before. That's why it's not talked about like that. We've seen Paul George. We've seen Kevin Garnett. We've seen Tracy McGrady. We've seen Mellos. We've seen Jayson Tatum,' Anthony said [h/t Hoops Hype]. 'Like, we've seen Ace. That's why he's not being talked about. That doesn't take anything away from him, but visually, we've seen him, right? Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images 'We haven't seen — and not to make this black and white — but we haven't seen a white boy like that in a long f***ing time. Right. That's when you know he really good. That's when you know Cooper Flagg really good. But we haven't seen that in a long time.' The 10-time All-Star claimed he is high on the 2024-25 NCAA DI Player of the Year. But in his mind, he is great at a lot of things but isn't special at anything specific. And that he doesn't have a go-to move and skillset that is necessary to succeed at the next level. However, when it comes to Bailey, he 'loves' him and believes his skillset is much higher than Flagg's. Advertisement Cooper Flagg was the most recruited high school player of this decade two years ago. He transitioned that talent to the next level and was POTY in his freshman season, and took Duke to the National Championship game in March. Some have suggested the Mavericks could trade the pick. However, Dallas reportedly has no interest in moving the pick because they believe Flagg is a can't-miss prospect. Also Read:: 2025 NBA Draft order: NBA Draft picks by team after the regular season, NBA Draft lottery odds Related Headlines
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Philadelphia 76ers 2025 draft big board 2.0: The best fits at No. 3
Philadelphia 76ers 2025 draft big board 2.0: The best fits at No. 3 The Philadelphia 76ers were rewarded with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft following a tough 24-58 season. The Sixers entered the season with championship expectations, but injuries decimated the roster and derailed any chances the team had at seriously contending for a title. As they head into this draft, there are plenty of options for the Sixers to look into. The goal for them is to get younger and add a player who can help them bounce back and turn things around. Philadelphia should be looking into every option in order to take the next steps forward toward title contention. Here is the second draft big board with the draft now five weeks away. If one wants to see big board 1.0, it can be seen here. With that said, let's get into big board 2.0: 1. Ace Bailey, Rutgers 2024-25 stats: 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg, 1.0 spg, 46% FG, 34.6% 3FG Previous ranking: 2 Let's get one thing straight: Bailey is not Kevin Durant. It doesn't mean he isn't going to be a good player, but he is not Durant. He has good measurements with star written all over him, but the knock on him is that he settles for bad shots and the fact that Rutgers did not make the NCAA Tournament. Despite having Bailey, and Dylan Harper, the Scarlet Knights finished 15-17 and barely made their own conference tournament in the Big 10. With that being said, Bailey figures to be a great NBA prospect with his length, finishing ability, and athleticism. In terms of his catch-and-shoot percentages, he shot 36-for-93 (38.7%) on those opportunities from deep. He shot 29-for-66 (43.9%) on those attempts while he was guarded. It shows that he has the skill and the want to take and make tough shots. There is a lot to like about his game, but there are some rough edges he needs to smooth out. 2. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor 2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.6% FG, 34% 3FG Previous ranking: 1 Many will be clamoring for Bailey, and he will be a top option for Philadelphia, but Edgecombe could be the better player. He is supremely athletic, able to take any defender off the dribble, and attack the basket, and he is more than solid defensively as he is aggressive at the point of attack and can create turnovers. He is an outstanding worker, and even though there are some finishing issues at the basket, he is somebody who can contribute on that end right away. In terms of his catch-and-shoot ability, a skill needed on a team with Joel Embiid on it, he shot 45-for-124 (36.3%) on catch-and-shoot 3s per Synergy Sports. However, he did shoot 21-for-45 (46.7%) when unguarded on those attempts. It shows that he can knock down and open look should it be needed. That shows he has a lot of shooting upside for his position and should be a great option. 3. Tre Johnson, Texas 2024-25 stats: 19.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 42.7% FG, 39.7% 3FG Previous ranking: 3 Johnson has his flaws, but scoring and shooting certainly aren't one of them. He has an ability to light up the scoreboard at any moment by taking defenders to the basket, being able to knock down tough 3s, and he can shoot off the catch or off the dribble. If the Sixers are thinking a microwave scorer, then Johnson should be their guy. One can argue that he isn't worthy of a No. 3 pick, but he has skills that will translate to the NBA level. As mentioned, he shot 51-for-125 (40.8%) on catch-and-shoot 3s. He was 32-for-77 (41.6%) on those attempts while guarded. Even off the dribble, he shot 38-for-99 (38.4%) on those 3-point attempts. He is an electric player and the Sixers should certainly give him a look before they decide on a player with this selection. 4. Kon Knueppel, Duke 2024-25 stats: 14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.0 spg, 47.9% FG, 40.6% 3FG Previous ranking: 4 Knueppel would be more of a trade down option should the Sixers not like what they see at No. 3. Either way, if the Sixers are thinking spacing and elite shooting, then Knueppel should be their guy. He has a high basketball IQ being able to navigate off screens to get himself open for looks, he competes on the defensive end, and he is an underrated playmaker. There are limitations so he may not grade out as a starter in some cases, but he is for sure a rotation player in this league due to the shooting ability. He shot 77-for-178 (43.3%) on catch-and-shoot 3s and was an impressive 36-for-84 (42.9%) on those attempts while guarded. He cannot do the things Bailey, Edgecombe, or Johnson can do, but Knueppel should be on the radar of president Daryl Morey and Co. should they decide to trade down and add to the depth of the roster--which is another need for this group. 5. Khaman Maluach, Duke 2024-25 stats: 8.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.3 bpg, 0.2 spg, 71.2% FG Previous ranking: 5 Maluach would be an option for Philadelphia should it want big man depth behind Embiid. With that being said, the Sixers do expect veteran Andre Drummond to exercise his player option for 2025-26 so he figures to return, and there is already young big man Adem Bona who made a name for himself as a rookie. However, Maluach stands at 7-foot-2 and the Sixers could always use some more size off the bench which has been an issue in the past. With that being said, Maluach is a bit raw offensively as he limited to putbacks and lob dunks off the pick-and-roll. While he does have soft hands to make all of this work on the offensive end, the Sixers would need him to add some type of jumper to his game. Philadelphia needs versatility out of its big men and Maluach would have to add to his game in order to stick.
