In an episode of “The Knighthood Podcast,” Rutgers star Ace Bailey shared the story of his turning point in high school basketball.
The podcast, released three months ago on the official Rutgers Men’s Basketball YouTube channel, featured host Jeremiah Williams and the two highest-ranked recruits in Rutgers history, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. They discussed their high school basketball careers, college recruiting, their favorite NBA players and much more.
One of the highlights of the podcast is Ace Bailey’s turnaround moment in high school. Ace had recently transferred from Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, and his playing time was limited.
“I started high school back home in Chattanooga…And then I moved like my sophomore year. My sophomore year…I only played three or four games because of the transition” (24:43-24: 58).
When asked when exactly he started taking off, Ace replied:
“In eighth grade, before my junior year, I went to a camp in Kansas. It was like a bunch of hoops there, like Crossroads Elite. It elevated me. Carrying what I did into that camp at the school dance, I think from there, I really exploded” (25:11-25:36).
Ace also explained how he adjusted to college life:
“I mean, it’s been great. Summer workouts have been fun. We’ve worked in the weight room, on the field, off the field… it’s all been fun, great. So keep building on this base” (1:20-1h33).
Ace Bailey, 6-foot-10, committed to play college basketball at Rutgers as a five-star recruit and one of the top players in the Class of 2024. As a senior, the 18-year-old shooting guard has averaged 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. His stellar performances earned him a selection to the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game and earned him the 2024 Mr. Georgia Basketball Award.
What to think of Ace Bailey’s college career at Rutgers so far
The 18-year-old shooting guard is quickly making a name for himself in college basketball. In just nine games for Rutgers, he has already demonstrated his impressive skills. Bailey is currently averaging 17.9 points per game and has recorded ten steals and seven blocks this season, proving to be a formidable presence on the court.
While he still has room to grow, his performance so far suggests he’s on the right path to becoming a standout player. As he continues to develop, Rutgers fans can expect even more dominant performances reminiscent of his high school days.
Edited by Nadim El Kak
