5-star prospect Ace Bailey committed to Rutgers men’s basketball last January following an overtime win over Ohio State. On the court, he continues to impress and has moved up the national rankings. He is now the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2024 class per 247 Sports composite rankings. Bailey is right behind his friend and personal recruiting target, Dylan Harper. Both were at USA Basketball’s training camp last month before Harper was chosen for the team competing in this past week’s FIBA U19 World Cup. Bailey was cut after getting sick and unable to participate in workouts.
While Steve Pikiell and Brandin Knight were in Hungary to watch Harper for Team USA, who finished in fourth place on Sunday, Bailey was continuing to build a highlight reel for the ages.
Playing for his AAU team, Athletes of Tomorrow (AOT), at the Tip-off Classic, Bailey was dominant in a game on Saturday.
While his dunking ability is what makes the video’s popular, Ace’s willingness and ability to rebound, defend the rim and find open teammates is what will make him a special player. Combine it all and he is developing into an elite complete player.
All that being said, Bailey’s raw athleticism and natural talent jumps off the film. No play captured that more so than a baseline no look over his head dunk. Overtime made the side by side comparison to an iconic Kobe Bryant dunk from years past. It was a great call.
With Bailey anchoring the 2024 class that includes No. 83 prospect Lathan Sommerville No. 112 Bryce Dortch is No. 112, Rutgers is currently ranked No. 2 overall nationally. Bailey’s ceiling is sky high and his development over the next year will be fun to track. The program’s connections to Bailey remain strong. In addition to assistants Brandin Knight and Marlon Williamson having relationships with Bailey’s camp, his childhood best friend joined the program last month. Point guard Jamichael Davis has drawn his own praise from past coaches and could become a factor this season as a true freshman. And of course, if Harper decides to commit to Rutgers, Bailey’s desire to play with him in college will be in line to come true.
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InPikeWeTrust
July 3, 2023 at 10:54 am
I’m watching this young man’s film and am in disbelief he will be playing in the scarlet and white at the RAC in 2 seasons. He looks like he has freakish skills for a player his size. It will be very interesting to see how his defensive abilities evolve over his season on the banks. I’m assuming we just get one from him.
pj43
July 3, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Players like Sommerville & Woolfolk, in combination with Bailey, should make for a complementary front court, not to mention small forward, Griffiths. If everyone stays, Rutgers should be deep with a lot of offensive capability from both inside & outside. For now, however, let’s see what the 2023-24 season has in store.
thevinman
July 3, 2023 at 3:03 pm
Wow!!!!!