Rutgers' Promising Newcomer Ace Bailey (hip) Out for Season Opener
Ace Bailey, a freshman at Rutgers and a highly-touted prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft, will not be able to play in the team's season opener against Wagner in Piscataway, New Jersey on Wednesday night.
According to reports, Bailey sustained a hip injury during practice on Monday and his status for the game is uncertain. The No. 25 ranked Scarlet Knights will have to wait and see if he will be able to play.
Bailey, a 6-foot-10 forward who was named the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year, was ranked as the second best player in the nation by 247Sports for the 2025 class. He was only behind Duke's Cooper Flagg. He is one of two five-star recruits to join Rutgers this season, along with guard Dylan Harper who is ranked third in the nation.
In a preseason exhibition game against St. John's on October 17, Bailey had an impressive performance, scoring 25 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 4 of 9 from 3-point range. He also grabbed five rebounds in 36 minutes of play.