Airious “Ace” Bailey (born August 13, 2006)[1] is an American college basketball player for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights of the Big Ten Conference.
| No. 4 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting guard / small forward |
| League | Big Ten Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | August 13, 2006[1] |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | |
| College | Rutgers (2024–present) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life and high school
editBailey originally grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and initially attended Boyd-Buchanan School.[2] After his freshman year, he moved to Powder Springs, Georgia and enrolled at McEachern High School.[3] Bailey averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and four blocks per game as a junior.[4] Regarded as the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2024 according to 247Sports, Bailey improved his stats to 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per contest. Bailey was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoops Summit during his senior year.
Recruiting
editBailey is a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class, according to major recruiting services.[5][6] He committed to play college basketball at Rutgers over offers from Ohio State, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, and Oregon.[7][8] Bailey signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Scarlet Knights on November 12, 2023, during the early signing period.[9][10]
Personal life
editBailey's mother Ramika McGee played college basketball at West Virginia University.[11] Bailey's father, Richard Bailey, played college basketball at Houston. His aunt, Venus Lacy, played in the WNBA and was a member of Team USA's 1996 Olympic team that won a gold medal.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b "Ace Bailey". Real GM. RealGM, L.L.C. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Prep roundup: Freshman Ace Bailey helps spark Boyd Buchanan past region rival". Chattanooga Times Free Press. January 11, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Catapano, John (Nov 12, 2023). "5-Star Forward Ace Bailey Officially Signs NLI with Rutgers". OnTheBanks.com. SB Nation. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ Schnyderite, Richard (November 12, 2023). "Rutgers Scarlet Knights Basketball Signee Bio: F Ace Bailey". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ Clemente, Christian (January 1, 2023). "5-star SF Ace Bailey includes Auburn in top group". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "UK in recruiting race for Airious Bailey, Tahaad Pettiford". Lexington Herald Leader. January 6, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Fonseca, Brian (January 15, 2023). "Rutgers lands 5-star forward Ace Bailey — highest-ranked hoops recruit in program history". NJ.com. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "Rutgers basketball beats Ohio State, lands 5-star forward". Asbury Park Press. January 15, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ Fonseca, Brian (November 12, 2023). "5-star forward Ace Bailey makes Rutgers pledge official, becomes highest-ranked signee in program history". NJ.com. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ "Rutgers basketball nips Bryant; Ace Bailey signs". The Record. November 12, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ "Airious Bailey - Men's Basketball". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Fisher, Chris (September 15, 2022). "Kentucky offers 2024 5-star forward Ace Bailey". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 14, 2023.