Jump to content

Ace Bailey (basketball)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ace Bailey
Utah Jazz
PositionSmall forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2006-08-13) August 13, 2006 (age 18)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7[1] in (2.01 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeRutgers (2024–2025)
NBA draft2025: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Drafted byUtah Jazz
Playing career2025–present
Career history
2025–presentUtah Jazz
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Airious "Ace" Bailey (born August 13, 2006)[2] is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class.

Early life and high school career

[edit]

Bailey grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and initially attended Boyd-Buchanan School.[3] After his freshman year, he moved to Powder Springs, Georgia, and enrolled at McEachern High School.[4] Bailey averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and four blocks per game as a junior.[5] He improved his stats to 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per game as a senior. Bailey was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit during his senior year.

Recruiting

[edit]

Bailey was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class, according to major recruiting services.[6][7] On January 15, 2023, he committed to playing college basketball for Rutgers over offers from Ohio State, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas and Oregon.[8][9] Bailey signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Scarlet Knights on November 12, 2023, during the early signing period.[10][11]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Ace Bailey
SG / SF 		Chattanooga, TN McEachern (GA) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jan 15, 2023 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 5/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   On3: 5/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (97)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 2    247Sports: 2    On3: 2    ESPN: 2
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Rutgers 2024 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  • "2024 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  • "2024 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved May 30, 2025.

Professional career

[edit]

Bailey was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2025 NBA draft.[12]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2024–25 Rutgers 30 30 33.3 .460 .346 .692 7.2 1.3 1.0 1.3 17.6

Personal life

[edit]

Bailey's mother, Ramika McGee, played college basketball at West Virginia University.[13] 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.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "How tall is Ace Bailey? Explaining height controversy around NBA Draft prospect". Sporting News. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  2. ^ "Ace Bailey". Real GM. RealGM, L.L.C. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Prep roundup: Freshman Ace Bailey helps spark Boyd Buchanan past region rival". Chattanooga Times Free Press. January 11, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Catapano, John (November 12, 2023). "5-Star Forward Ace Bailey Officially Signs NLI with Rutgers". OnTheBanks.com. SB Nation. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Schnyderite, Richard (November 12, 2023). "Rutgers Scarlet Knights Basketball Signee Bio: F Ace Bailey". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Clemente, Christian (January 1, 2023). "5-star SF Ace Bailey includes Auburn in top group". 247Sports. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  7. ^ Drummond, Cameron (January 6, 2023). "UK in recruiting race for Airious Bailey, Tahaad Pettiford". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Iseman, Chris (January 15, 2023). "Rutgers basketball beats Ohio State, lands 5-star forward". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Carino, Jerry (November 12, 2023). "Rutgers basketball nips Bryant; Ace Bailey signs". The Record. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "What Ace Bailey Brings to the Utah Jazz". NBA.com. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  13. ^ "Airious Bailey - Men's Basketball". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Fisher, Chris (September 15, 2022). "Kentucky offers 2024 5-star forward Ace Bailey". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ace_Bailey_(basketball)&oldid=1297785392"