5-Star Forward Ace Bailey Officially Signs NLI with Rutgers

Fans were given a lift after a week of disappointments, with Ace Bailey officially signing his national letter of intent with Rutgers University following his high school game with McEachern (Powder Springs, GA). This was a welcome development after the basketball team’s opening night loss to Princeton and the football team’s letdown in Iowa City. A video of the signing is available below, which also features Dylan in the crowd. Ace appeared humble, expressing gratitude to his parents and looking like the kind of young man the coaching staff at Rutgers University will be eager to help grow, particularly as he positions himself as a potential NBA round-one draft pick in 2024.

It’s been a tense ten months since Ace verbally committed. For a fanbase familiar with letdowns, the recent signings of 3-star wing Bryan Dortch and 4-star big man Lathan Sommerville have added to the anticipation. Bailey’s signing raises the program’s status, positioning them in the top half of the Big Ten going into 2024, with new members UCLA, USC, UW, and Oregon joining the conference.

Bailey’s signing sees him become the highest-ranked player ever signed by Rutgers in the Steve Pikiell era. No matter which ranking service you follow, Ace is a top-5 recruit. With his ability to play above the rim, he will pose a major challenge for opponents.

Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Airious “Ace” Bailey moved to McEachern High School in Powder Springs before his sophomore season.

Quotable

• McEachern HC Tremayne Anrchrum: “Ace is one of the most talented players that I’ve ever seen. He has a special combination of size, skill and passion. He can do anything on the floor. Finally, he LOVES playing basketball. This kid has the ability to be like a Paul George mixed with Jayson Tatum. He has the feel of a Paul George. The ability to get to the spot he wants and be comfortable to make the right play. But he also has the offensive precision and duality of a Tatum. Ace can guard all 5 positions, but he can also destroy your confidence when he’s on the offensive end.”

• TKR Basketball Recruiting Analyst Zach Smart: ”As a big with a wing’s skill set, Bailey has all the intangibles which translate to today’s high major game. He’s more athletic than most at his size, with fluid baseline to baseline mobility and a vertically explosive game. He also adds length and rim protection to the frontline as well. He’s able to block and influence shots in the paint and also switch on wings/guards, capable of guarding the 2-5 at the high school level.”

Rivals National Basketball Analyst Jason Jordan: ”By now, we know that Bailey is Rutgers’ highest-ranked commit of all time, but over the last four months he’s been consistently showcasing why most experts feel his best basketball is ahead of him. At 6-foot-9, Bailey is arguably the most versatile and fluid prospect in the class and seems to be increasingly growing his killer instinct.”

Below is the 2024 recruiting class following Ace’s commitment with Dylan Harper up next.

Bryce Dortch | Chestnut Hill, MA

The 6’8” 3-star wing has been labeled the program’s next Caleb McConnell for his ability on the defensive end. Dortch is ranked the 32nd-best forward in the nation and is one of the best players from the Commonwealth State.

“Bryce Dortch is a unique player from a terrific basketball program,” head coach Steve Pikiell said. “He was well-coached in a terrific AAU program. He’s versatile and reminds me of Caleb McConnell in some ways defensively. He can guard multiple positions. He’s a terrific ball-handler for his height. We’re excited to add Bryce to our family.”

Dylan Grant | Warren, MI (from Mississauga, Canada)

Grant is a 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward from Mississauga, Canada, who moved to Warren, Michigan to compete at the high school level. He quickly became one of the best players in the state of Michigan at Michigan Collegiate High School and is currently ranked as the No. 1 player in all of Michigan in the class according to On3.com.

“We’re really excited about Dylan Grant officially becoming a Scarlet Knight,” head coach Steve Pikiell said. “First and foremost, we are getting a wonderful young man from a great family. He’s an athlete, a rebounder, an inside-outside scorer, and the ultimate defender of all five positions. Rutgers fans are going to love him and most of all they are going to love his energy.”

Lathan Sommerville | Peoria, IL

Correction: Sommerville is expected to officially sign this week, on the 15th.

Sommerville is a 4-star currently ranked the No. 92 recruit nationally on the Rivals150 and is also listed at No. 94 overall and the No. 16 center in the 2024 class in the 247 Sports composite rankings, with an upcoming official signing on the 15th.