Ace Bailey Bio
Airious “Ace” Bailey is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on August 13, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Bailey was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 high school class. He played one season of college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before being selected fifth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. Standing 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) and listed at 200 lb (91 kg), Bailey plays the small forward position and is widely regarded as one of the most promising young wing prospects in the league.
During his rookie NBA season, Bailey earned a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2026, signaling his rapid rise as a scorer and rebounder at the professional level. His combination of size, athleticism, and shot-making ability has drawn attention from coaches and analysts across the league. He now wears jersey number 19 for the Utah Jazz and continues to develop into a featured player for the franchise.
Early Life and Background
Airious “Ace” Bailey was born on August 13, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he grew up surrounded by a deep family basketball tradition. His mother, Ramika McGee, played college basketball at West Virginia University, and his father, Richard Bailey, played college basketball at the University of Houston. His aunt, Venus Lacy, played in the WNBA and was a member of the United States women’s national team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Bailey attended Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga for his early high school years. After his freshman season, he transferred to McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, a move that helped him compete against a higher level of competition. As a junior, he averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and four blocks per game, establishing himself as one of the most dominant young forwards in the country.
As a senior at McEachern, Bailey elevated his game to an even higher level, posting averages of 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game. He was selected to participate in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoop Summit, three of the most prestigious all-star events for elite high school basketball players. He was also named Mr. Georgia Basketball in 2024, capping a celebrated high school career.
Path to Basketball
Bailey was ranked as a consensus five-star recruit and was widely considered one of the top players in the 2024 high school class by every major recruiting service. On January 15, 2023, he committed to play college basketball at Rutgers over scholarship offers from several prominent programs, including Ohio State, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, and Oregon. He signed a National Letter of Intent with the Scarlet Knights on November 12, 2023, during the early signing period, formally locking in his college choice.
His commitment was viewed as a major milestone for the Rutgers program. Bailey became the highest-ranked recruit in Rutgers basketball history, raising the profile of a Scarlet Knights team that had been working to build national relevance. His decision to attend a Big Ten program in the Northeast reflected both his competitive ambitions and his interest in developing under a structured college system before turning professional.
Ace Bailey Career
Early Career (2024–2025)
Bailey began his college career at Rutgers in November 2024, though he missed the Scarlet Knights’ first two games due to injury. He made his collegiate debut on November 15, 2024, scoring 17 points while adding six rebounds, two steals, and one block in a win over Monmouth. Just five days later, on November 20, he recorded his first career double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds against Merrimack, announcing his arrival as a force in the Big Ten.
His freshman season featured several standout scoring performances, including a career-high 39-point game against Indiana on January 2, 2025, which earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. He earned the same recognition again on January 19 after leading the Scarlet Knights to a 2–0 week with two double-doubles, including 20 points and 10 rebounds against UCLA and 24 points with 11 rebounds against Nebraska. At the end of the season, Bailey was named to the Third-Team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and on April 23, he declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
NBA Breakthrough (2025–Present)
The Utah Jazz selected Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, making him one of the cornerstones of the team’s long-term rebuild. On July 2, 2025, he signed his rookie contract with the Jazz alongside fellow draftee Walter Clayton Jr., officially beginning his professional career. Wearing jersey number 19, Bailey slotted in as a small forward with the freedom to score from multiple positions on the floor.
Bailey’s rookie season was highlighted by several scoring milestones. On January 22, 2026, he recorded a then-career-high 25 points to go with six rebounds and three assists in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. Just 19 days later, on February 10, 2026, he surpassed 500 career points in only his 45th NBA game, becoming the youngest player in Utah Jazz franchise history to reach that mark at 19 years and 181 days old during a contest against the Atlanta Hawks. On March 5, 2026, Bailey raised his career high to 32 points in a 122–112 win over the Washington Wizards, further cementing his status as a rising scorer.
His strong debut campaign was recognized league-wide when he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2026. The honor reflected his consistent production and his rapid development as a featured offensive option for the Jazz.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bailey is known for his rare combination of length, athleticism, and perimeter scoring touch for a 6 ft 9 in forward. He is comfortable attacking the basket off the dribble, finishing above the rim, and stepping out to hit jump shots from the mid-range and beyond the arc. His rebounding instincts and shot-blocking ability also make him a two-way contributor, while his competitive drive and confidence have allowed him to perform in high-pressure moments as a teenager.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Bailey’s most memorable early career moments are his 39-point debut-season performance against Indiana, his 500-point milestone against the Atlanta Hawks as the youngest Jazz player to reach that mark, and his 32-point career high against the Washington Wizards. His selection as a McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic participant, and Nike Hoop Summit selection in 2024 rounded out a remarkable pre-professional résumé.
Ace Bailey Career Wins
Although team success in the win column has been a work in progress for a young Utah Jazz roster, Ace Bailey’s individual milestones have marked him as a clear winner in the early stages of his professional career. His 2026 NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection, his record-setting 500-point achievement, and his multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors stand as the most prominent accolades of his career to date.
High School and College Highlights
At the high school level, Bailey was named Mr. Georgia Basketball in 2024 after averaging 32.5 points and 15.5 rebounds per game as a senior at McEachern. He was also selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoop Summit during his senior season, three of the most prestigious all-star showcases in the country. In college, he was named Third-Team All-Big Ten and to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2025, becoming the highest-ranked recruit in Rutgers program history.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his All-Rookie recognition, Bailey has produced a series of standout individual performances, including a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double against Merrimack in his early college schedule and a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double against Nebraska in Big Ten play. His NBA performances against the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards further established his reputation as a rising star.
Ace Bailey Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Ace Bailey comes from a family with deep roots in basketball. His mother, Ramika McGee, played college basketball at West Virginia University, while his father, Richard Bailey, played college basketball at the University of Houston. His aunt, Venus Lacy, played in the WNBA and was a member of the United States women’s national basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. This strong family background has been a key influence in his development as a player.
Personal Life
Bailey grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before moving to Powder Springs, Georgia, to attend McEachern High School. He focuses on his basketball career with the Utah Jazz and continues to build on the foundation laid by his family and coaches.
2025 Season Performance
Bailey’s 2025 calendar year was a transitional and memorable one, beginning with the conclusion of his freshman season at Rutgers and ending with his entry into the NBA. He wrapped up his lone collegiate campaign with Third-Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors, then declared for the 2025 NBA Draft on April 23. His selection fifth overall by the Utah Jazz and his subsequent rookie contract signing on July 2 officially launched his professional career.
On the floor, Bailey wasted little time making an impact. Through the early months of the 2025–26 NBA season, he delivered double-figure scoring outputs with regularity and posted multiple career highs in front of national audiences. The milestones came quickly: a then-career-high 25 points against the San Antonio Spurs on January 22, 2026, the 500-point franchise-youngest achievement against the Atlanta Hawks on February 10, and a new career-best 32 points against the Washington Wizards on March 5.
His 2026 NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection provided a fitting cap to his first full professional season and validated the Jazz’s decision to build around his talent. With several years of team control remaining on his rookie contract and a clear development arc in place, Bailey enters the next phase of his career as one of the most closely watched young players in the league.
