"Daryl Morey got bullied by Ace": NBA fans react as 76ers pivot to VJ Edgecombe with #3 after Ace Bailey rejects to work out

With the third pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers opted to select Baylor star VJ Edgecombe over Rutgers standout Ace Bailey. Though Bailey had been projected to go early in the first round over the past several weeks, the 6-foot-10 guard slipped slightly in some mock drafts after reportedly refusing to work out in Philadelphia.

After Edgecombe was selected by the Sixers, fans took to social media to share their opinions on his selection and Bailey being snubbed with the No. 3 pick.

"Daryl Morey got bullied by Ace," one fan posted on X.

Ben

@TheHurricaneBen

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Daryl Morey got bullied by Ace

Dariq Whitehead Muse

@KShakespearean

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Sixers wanted Ace but the nets getting him

𝔹𝕠𝕝𝕨𝕣𝕝𝕕

@BolWrld

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I have a feeling he’s gonna be a bust ngl

Graceful🦈

@upbilssed

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He’s better than Paul George already

Taz

@phillibando

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The Sixers are simply not smart.

AlgaeZ

@ZAlgae

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Players I love watching go to Philly two years in a row yeah this some b****hit

Bailey, however, did not have to wait long to hear his name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Two picks later, he was taken fifth by the Utah Jazz.

In the days leading up to the draft, there was some controversy coming from Bailey’s camp as the young scoring machine — who turns 19 in August — allegedly turned down invitations from multiple lottery teams. This reportedly stemmed from his team’s adamant belief that he would be a top-three selection.

Still, the Sixers reportedly kept Bailey in consideration as they configured their plans for draft night. With their top stars like Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined for an extended period last season, Bailey would have been a welcome addition to fill the void in the scoring department.

Nevertheless, the 6-foot-5 Edgecombe is expected to bring athleticism and hustle to the Sixers’ promising backcourt. In particular, Edgecombe’s motor bodes well for Philadelphia’s defense this coming season.

VJ Edgecombe's mom overwhelmed by emotion after 76ers draft son

Moments after Edgecombe was selected by the Sixers, his mother, Bendra Rolle, shared some emotional words with ESPN’s Monica McNutt.

"Super proud," Rolle said of her son's big moment. "Like he said, we came from nothing into everything."

Edgecombe's parents played an instrumental role in his ascent to NBA lottery pick. Rolle was a track star in her own right, while Edgecombe’s father, Valdez, was a former player for the Bahamian national basketball team.