Ace Bailey is widely projected to be a top 10 pick in the NBA Draft tonight. The
McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) product has been a topic of conversation leading up to the festivities in Brooklyn because he chose not to interview or workout with teams, leaving plenty of mystery surrounding when his name will come off the board.
During his lone season at Rutgers, Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.0 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from 3-point range and 69.2 percent from the free throw line.
As a senior in high school, the 6-foot-8 wing averaged 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. His production helped McEachern finish ranked No. 13 nationally after reaching the Class AAAAAAA state championship game.
Ace Bailey averaged a double-double in each of his final three seasons of high school basketball. (Photo: Cecil Copeland)
Bailey earned first team MaxPreps All-America honors and was named Georgia MaxPreps Player of the Year in 2023-24.
Among Bailey's eye-popping stat lines as a senior:
- 41 points and 26 rebounds in an 84-64 win over Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.)
- 43 points and 19 rebounds in a 97-66 victory against Cannon (Concord, N.C.)
- 40 points and 20 rebounds in a 77-52 triumph versus Camden (N.J.)
As a junior, Bailey averaged around 22 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and three assists per outing. He earned first team MaxPreps Junior All-America honors after leading McEachern to the Class AAAAAAA state quarterfinals.
Bailey was also a first team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America honors in 2021-22 with averages of 19.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 blocks per contest.
