VJ Edgecombe Receives NBA Draft Boost as Ace Bailey Stock Fall After Rutgers Star’s Lack of Workouts

Ace Bailey was a rumored top-3 pick, but his draft stock is falling after VJ Edgecombe had some good workouts with NBA teams.

VJ Edgecombe Receives NBA Draft Boost as Ace Bailey Stock Fall After Rutgers Star’s Lack of Workouts

Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe (FS Image)

The 2025 NBA Draft promises to be a movie in the making. Cooper Flagg of the Duke Blue Devils has been tipped to be the No. 1 overall pick. Dylan Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, is the rumored No. 2 pick. Many experts also consider this to be the deepest draft class since 2018. In view of the tough competition at the top, VJ Edgecombe and Ace Bailey have emerged as top-three pick options.

Bailey had a rousing freshman year at Rutgers, setting many rookie and college records in the Big-10. The forward, however, has seen his draft stock drop after a refusal to work out with several teams. According to reports, Bailey is holding out for a team that would highlight him as a primary offensive option. He wants to be selected by a team that will provide a clear pathway to stardom, according to ESPN reports:

Bailey’s predraft workout strategy has perplexed some observers, as he has yet to conduct a single known workout to date, having declined invitations from several teams within his draft range. Sources say Bailey’s camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft, but also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, perhaps feeling comfortable that a team will trade up to get him at Nos. 3 or 4, should he drop.

Thus far, this pre-draft strategy from Ace Bailey compares eerily to Shedeur Sanders‘. Bailey’s shot profile has raised a lot of questions as many believe he wouldn’t be efficient from the mid-range at the NBA level. These concerns are in a similar vein to what scouts identified with Shedeur Sanders. A similar draft slide is what people have come to expect of Bailey. Meanwhile, VJ Edgecombe has been cemented as a top-3 pick on many draft boards.

How do Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe compare as prospects?

Ace Bailey was the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2024 HS senior class. He chose the Rutgers Scarlet Knights over offers from Ohio State, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, and Oregon. Bailey played 30 games, starting all of them. He had a great all-round season on both ends and averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. He shot 46.0% from the field and 34.6% on 3-pointers.

However, his low free throw percentage of 69.2% as a 6’10” wing has sparked concerns. The NBA meta overvalues shooting over playmaking right now, and this has edged VJ Edgecombe above him as a prospect. VJ Edgecombe’s college career at Baylor showcased elite athleticism, much like Bailey. His 78% free-throw shooting and 34% three-point shooting (improving to 39% in Big 12 play) show his potential as a reliable catch-and-shoot threat.

VJ Edgecombe has explosive speed, a quick first step, and an exceptional vertical leap. He was a terror in transition and had many highlight-reel dunks (32 dunks, fifth-most among players 6’5” or under). Edgecombe’s defensive prowess stood out as he averaged 2.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. He showed quick hands, anticipation, and high IQ. He was a disruptive defensive playmaker, making many chase-down blocks and steals.

Edgecombe was a versatile defender, effective in isolation (0.900 PPP, 57th percentile) and pick-and-roll coverage (0.889 PPP, 52nd percentile). Offensively, he was efficient in spot-up situations (1.144 PPP, 81st percentile) and while cutting (1.345 PPP, 93rd percentile). He also showed a bit of a mid-range bag, but he isn’t nearly as advanced as Ace Bailey.

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