Ace Bailey
Bio
Airious "Ace" Bailey was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to basketball-playing parents—his mother Ramika McGee played at West Virginia, his father Richard Bailey at Houston—and grew into one of the most electrifying scoring prospects of his generation . The nephew of 1996 U.S. Olympic gold medalist and WNBA player Venus Lacy, Bailey inherited elite athletic genes and a fierce competitive drive . He earned the nickname "Ace" from his childhood league coach, a moniker that stuck as he dominated youth basketball . After one season at Boyd-Buchanan in Tennessee, he transferred to McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he became a national sensation. As a senior, he averaged a staggering 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game, earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Georgia, MaxPreps All-America first team recognition, and McDonald's All-American status . A consensus five-star recruit ranked No. 2 nationally in the Class of 2024, Bailey chose Rutgers over Kentucky, Kansas, Oregon, and Texas, joining fellow superstar freshman Dylan Harper to form the greatest recruiting class in Scarlet Knights history . In his lone collegiate season (2024–25), Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team and Third-Team All-Big Ten honors . His 527 points scored ranked second-most ever by a Rutgers freshman, trailing only Harper . Standing 6'8" to 6'10" with a silky shooting stroke and the ability to rise over any defender, Bailey draws constant comparisons to Kevin Durant—one of his favorite players—as well as Paul George and Jayson Tatum . The 15-time NBA All-Star Durant himself has praised Bailey as "a pure, pure talent" with "insane" shot-making ability . In the 2025 NBA Draft, Bailey was selected with the No. 5 overall pick by the Utah Jazz, where he immediately became a cornerstone of the franchise's rebuild alongside Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr. . Known for his breath-taking athleticism, competitive fire, and unwavering self-belief, Bailey has modeled his game after the league's elite shot-makers and prides himself on leadership both on and off the court . He remains one of the youngest players in the NBA, having not turned 19 until after his draft night, and continues to develop his playmaking and defensive consistency while already flashing the scoring brilliance that made him an ace in every sense of the word.
Accomplishments
2025 - Sports: No. 5 Overall Pick in the NBA Draft
Genre: Professional Basketball / Draft Achievement
Co-Stars: Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Cooper Flagg (No. 1 pick, Jazz), Dylan Harper (No. 2 pick, Nets), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Jazz teammate), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz teammate), Walker Kessler (Jazz teammate)
Brief Description: After just one season at Rutgers, Bailey was selected with the 5th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. He became the highest-drafted player in Rutgers basketball history, surpassing the previous record held by James Bailey (No. 6 overall in 1979) and Quincy Douby (No. 19 overall in 2006). The selection paired him with a young Jazz core featuring Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, and fellow 2025 lottery pick Jaren Jackson Jr. (No. 9 overall). As one of the youngest players in the NBA—having turned 19 just months before draft night—Bailey's draft stock was fueled by his elite shot-making, defensive upside, and the rare ability to rise over any defender from any spot on the court. He has modeled his game after Kevin Durant and Paul George, and his competitive fire has drawn comparisons to a young Kobe Bryant.
2025 - Sports: Big Ten All-Freshman Team & Third-Team All-Big Ten
Genre: College Basketball / Individual Awards
Co-Stars: Dylan Harper (Rutgers backcourt mate), Big Ten opponents including Zach Edey (Purdue), Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois)
Brief Description: In his lone collegiate season at Rutgers (2024–25), Bailey delivered an impressive freshman campaign, averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game on 46/35/69 shooting splits. His 527 points scored ranked second-most ever by a Rutgers freshman, trailing only his teammate Dylan Harper. Bailey earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors and was named Third-Team All-Big Ten, showcasing his elite scoring ability and defensive length. His 6'10" frame and silky shooting stroke drew constant comparisons to Kevin Durant, one of his favorite players, who himself praised Bailey as "a pure, pure talent" with "insane" shot-making ability.
2024 - Sports: Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year & McDonald's All-American
Genre: High School Basketball / Individual Recognition
Co-Stars: Dylan Harper, Tre Johnson, V.J. Edgecombe, Flory Bidunga (fellow 2024 McDonald's All-Americans)
Brief Description: As a senior at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, Bailey delivered one of the most dominant statistical seasons in recent memory, averaging 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game. He earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors for Georgia, was named a McDonald's All-American, and participated in both the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic. A consensus five-star recruit ranked No. 2 nationally in the Class of 2024 behind only Duke's Cooper Flagg, Bailey chose Rutgers over Kentucky, Kansas, Oregon, and Texas, forming the greatest recruiting class in Scarlet Knights history alongside fellow superstar Dylan Harper.
News
Utah Jazz Trading Ace Bailey Looks Completely Off the Table
In the days leading up to the NBA Draft, there's been a good bit of the usual trade buzz that tends to creep up around this time, drawing links between a few names that could be on the table in the form of a deal.
