rewrite this title “It just really blew up from there”: When Rutgers star Ace Bailey opened up about his turning moment in high school

In 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, featured host Jeremiah Williams and the two highest-ranked recruits in Rutgers history, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. They discussed their high school basketball careers, college recruitment, favorite NBA players, and more.

One of the major highlights of the podcast is Ace Bailey’s turnaround moment in high school. Ace had recently transitioned from Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, and was getting limited playing time.

“I started high school back at home in Chattanooga… And then I moved like my sophomore year. My sophomore year … I only played like three four games cuz of the transition” (24:43-24:58).

When asked about the exact moment he began to take off, Ace answered:

“My eighth grade year going into freshman year, I went to a camp in Kansas. It was like a bunch of hoopers there like the Crossroads Elite. That brought me up. Carrying what I did in that camp into school ball, I mean it just really blew up from there” (25:11-25:36).

Ace also touched on how he’s been adjusting to college life:

“I mean it’s been great. Summer workouts have been fun. We’ve been grinding in a weight room, on the court, off the court… everything’s been fun, been great. So just keep building off that” (1:20-1:33).

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 brilliant performances earned him a selection in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game and won him the 2024 Mr. Georgia Basketball Award.

What to Make of Ace Bailey’s College Career at Rutgers So Far

The 18-year-old shooting guard is quickly making a name for himself in college basketball. In just nine games for Rutgers, he’s 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 formidable presence on the court.

While he’s still got room to grow, his performance so far suggests he’s well on his way to becoming a standout player. As he continues to develop, Rutgers fans can look forward to even more dominant performances reminiscent of his high school days.

Edited by Nadim El Kak