On an episode of “The Knighthood Podcast,” Rutgers star Ace Bailey shared the story of his turning point in high school basketball.
The podcast, aired three months ago on the official Rutgers men’s basketball YouTube channel, features host Jeremiah Williams and the two highest-ranked players in Rutgers history, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. He discussed his high school basketball career, college recruiting, favorite NBA players and more.
A highlight of the podcast is Ace Bailey’s high school transformation moment. The ace had recently transferred from Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga, Tennessee to McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, and was receiving limited playing time.
“I started high school at home in Chattanooga… and then I moved on like my sophomore year. My sophomore year… I only played three of four games because of the change” (24:43-24:58 ).
When asked about the exact moment he started flying, Ace replied:
“My eighth grade year going into freshman year, I went to a camp in Kansas. There was a group of hoopers there, like Crossroads Elite. It grew me up. What I did at that camp was take it to school ball. , I mean it just literally exploded from there” (25:11-25:36).
Ace also shared how he’s adjusting to college life:
“I mean, it’s been great. Summer workouts have been fun. We’ve been grinding in the weight room, on the court, off the court… everything has been fun, great. So just keep it going.” (1:20-1:33).
The 6-foot-10 Ace Bailey committed to play college basketball at Rutgers as a five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class. As a senior, the 18-year-old shooting guard averaged 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. His stellar performance led to his selection to the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game and earned him the 2024 Mr. Georgia Basketball award.
What Ace Bailey’s college career means so far at Rutgers
The 18-year-old shooting guard is quickly making a name for himself in college basketball. In just nine games for Rutgers, he is already showcasing 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 great presence on the court.
Although he still has room to grow, his performances so far suggest he is on his way to becoming an exceptional player. As his development continues, Rutgers fans can expect even more impressive performances reminiscent of his high school days.
Edited by Nadeem El Kak
