The Sixers' long history of passing on local players

The 76ers own the No. 3 pick in June's NBA draft and Rutgers' Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are among the best players available. But there is no guarantee the Sixers will select either player from the New Jersey school. Let's take a look at the players closer to home they've bypassed in past years.

2018: Mikal Bridges, Villanova

Bridges is among several Villanova players the Sixers have bypassed. The Sixers drafted him with the No. 10 pick in 2018 and traded him despite his local ties and his mother's job as vice president of human resources with the team.

2004: Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph's

Selected 20th overall by the Orlando Magic in a draft-day trade in 2004, Chester's Nelson was the reigning national player of the year and leader of a St. Joseph's team that went 30-2. The Sixers drafted Andre Iguodala with the ninth pick.

1996: Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion High School

The Sixers selected Allen Iverson with the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft. But Bryant, who was in the team's backyard at Lower Merion, became the best player in the vaunted draft after being picked at No. 13 and traded to the Lakers.

1995: Rasheed Wallace, Simon Gratz High School

Wallace is a Simon Gratz grad and many considered him the top recruit in the nation. He shared that distinction with Jerry Stackhouse. They both played at North Carolina and the Sixers picked Stackhouse third overall in 1995 over Wallace.

1994: Eddie Jones, Temple

Jones spent four seasons at Temple, leading the Owls to the Elite Eight and winning A-10 player of the year. Still, the Sixers picked Sherone Wright at No. 6, one of the worst whiffs on this list. Jones went on to be a three-time All-Star.