Senior wing led McEachern to 26 wins, Class AAAAAAA state championship game.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in prep basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023-24 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Ace Bailey of
McEachern (Powder Springs) is the 2023-24 Georgia MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-8 senior wing led the Indians to a 26-6 record and the Class AAAAAAA state championship game.
For the season, Bailey averaged 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per contest against a schedule that included nine nationally-ranked opponents.
Ace Bailey is one of five finalists for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors. (Photo: Corey Jones)
In an 84-64 win over Pebblebrook (Mableton) in early December, Bailey put up 41 points and grabbed 26 rebounds. He went for 43 and 19 in a 97-66 win over Cannon (Concord, N.C.) and 40 and 21 in a 77-52 victory over New Jersey state champion Camden later in the month.
Regarded as the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2024 according to
247Sports, Bailey signed with Rutgers in November over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas among others.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released April 10. Past selections include 2024 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016), Paolo Banchero (2020), Scottie Barnes (2020), Devin Booker (2014), Jaylen Brown (2015), Jalen Brunson (2015), Anthony Davis (2011), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony Edwards (2019), Tyrese Maxey (2019), Julius Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016), Karl-Anthony Towns (2014) and Trae Young (2017).
Past Georgia MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – Deivon Smith, Grayson (Loganville)
2020-21 – Jabari Smith, Sandy Creek (Tyrone)
2021-22 – Bruce Thornton, Milton
2022-23 – Isaiah Collier, Wheeler (Marietta)
