In an episode of “The Knighthood Podcast,” Rutgers star Ace Bailey shared the story of his turning point in high school basketball.
The podcast, which aired three months ago on the official Rutgers men’s basketball YouTube channel, featured host Jeremiah Williams and two of the highest-ranked players in Rutgers history, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. They discussed their high school basketball careers, college recruiting, favorite NBA players, and more.
One of the main highlights of the podcast is Ace Bailey’s turning point in high school. Ace recently transferred from Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga, Tennessee to McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, which limited his playing time.
“I started high school at home in Chattanooga… and I moved like a sophomore. Sophomore year… I only played about 34 games because of the transition” (24:43-24:58).
When asked about the exact moment he began takeoff, Ace responded:
“When I was a freshman in 8th grade, I went to a camp in Kansas where they were like Crossroads Elite and all the hoopers. That shaped me. I mean, I took what I did at that camp to the school prom. “It really exploded there.” (25:11-25:36)
Ace also commented on how he is adjusting to college life.
“I mean, it’s been great. Summer training has been fun. We’ve worked hard in the weight room, on the court, off the court… I’ve had fun with it all. It’s been great, so keep improving.” (1:20- 1:33).
Bailey, a 6-foot-10 ace, is a five-star recruit and one of the top players in the class of 2024 and has committed to play college basketball at Rutgers. The 18-year-old shooting guard averaged 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a senior. For his stellar performance, he was selected for the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game and was named Mr. 2024. Won the Georgia Basketball Award.
What to make 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 at Rutgers, he’s already showing off some impressive skills. Bailey is currently averaging 17.9 points per game and has proven to be a powerful presence on the court with 10 steals and 7 blocks this season.
There’s still room for him to grow, but his performance so far shows he’s well on his way to becoming a great player. As he continues to improve, Rutgers fans can expect more dominant performances reminiscent of his high school days.
Editor: Nadim El Kak
