| Ace Bailey | |
| Team: | Rutgers Scarlet Knights |
| Number: | 4 |
| Position: | Shooting guard / small forward |
| League: | Big Ten Conference |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 10 |
| Weight Lb: | 200 |
| Birth Date: | 13 August 2006[1] |
| High School: | |
| College: | Rutgers (2024–present) |
| Highlights: |
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Airious “Ace” Bailey (born August 13, 2006) is an American college basketball player for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights of the Big Ten Conference.
Bailey 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.
Bailey 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]
Bailey'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]