Rutgers’ Ace Bailey Might be Closer to Being the #1 Pick Than You Think
Ace Bailey has been as good as advertised in his first two games. The 6’10’’ 18 year-old was making jaw-dropping plays in a double-double effort vs. Merrimack.
The hype surrounding Cooper Flagg is, without a doubt, justified. Cooper’s first few games at Duke have been as expected. He is the top two-way player in college basketball and has the potential to take the Blue Devils all the way. So this piece is by no-means anti-Flagg, but rather a testament to how good Ace Bailey is. It is worth noting that no one in the media space saw Ace Bailey on the independent hoops scene more than our team at Greenlight. We had the privilege of covering Ace in his final two AAU seasons with Athletes of Tomorrow (AOT), as he elected not to play for a shoe brand team. There, he left everyone who watched him speechless, but now he is doing the same thing in New Jersey.
Bailey has been just as good as advertised in his first two games as a Scarlet Knight. Against Merrimack, Bailey notched his first career double-double, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds on 9-14 shooting. Bailey has been answering his critics by shooting 56% from the field and turning the ball over just three times. If Bailey were to continue at this pace come Big Ten play, it would be hard to have anyone over him in the number one spot.
Highlights from Rutgers’ win over Merrimack
Standing at 6’10”, it does not take long to figure out that Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey is not your typical prospect. He has drawn comparisons to NBA stars including Paul George and Brandon Miller. His shot-making ability is hands-down the best in this year’s NBA Draft cycle, as there is not a shot on the floor he is not comfortable taking. Bailey took some heat for playing for his local high school McEachern, and never playing for a shoe team. While this may have left more areas of his game to fine tune, it should also be acknowledged that it allowed him to develop as a primary ball-handler and perimeter player.
Highlights from Ace playing in OnTheRadarEvents
Once or twice a game Bailey will make a play that leaves scouts in awe. Against Merrimack Bailey hit an improbable fadeaway, and trotted back on defense like it was nothing. He followed that up by hitting a contested side-step three in the second half. Moments like this make you wonder if any other 18 year-old in the world is capable of doing such things. Bailey won’t turn 19 until next August, and by that time he will have already been drafted and be playing in the Summer League. Don’t be surprised if an NBA team takes a chance on Ace at number one.