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 selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. He played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, where he was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2025 NBA draft class. His professional career began in 2025 following a standout freshman season at Rutgers that earned him Third-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.
Airious “Ace” Bailey Bio
Airious “Ace” Bailey has emerged as one of the most promising young forwards in professional basketball. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) and weighing 200 pounds (91 kilograms), Bailey brings a combination of size, skill, and basketball pedigree to the Utah Jazz. He comes from a distinguished basketball family with deep roots in the sport at both the collegiate and professional levels. Bailey began his basketball journey in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before establishing himself as a top national prospect during his high school career in Georgia. His rapid ascent from high school star to NBA player reflects both his exceptional talent and the strong foundation built through his family’s basketball legacy.
Early Life and Background
Airious “Ace” Bailey was born on August 13, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He grew up in Chattanooga and initially attended Boyd-Buchanan School in his hometown. After completing his freshman year, Bailey moved to Powder Springs, Georgia, where he enrolled at McEachern High School for the remainder of his high school career.
Basketball runs deep in the Bailey family. His mother, Ramika McGee, played college basketball at West Virginia University. His father, Richard Bailey, played college basketball at the University of Houston. Perhaps most notably, his aunt, Venus Lacy, played professionally in the WNBA and was a member of the United States women’s national basketball team that won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Growing up in this basketball-oriented household provided Bailey with early exposure to the sport and valuable mentorship from family members who understood the demands of playing at the highest levels. This family environment helped shape his development as a player and his understanding of what it takes to succeed in competitive basketball.
Path to Basketball
Bailey’s path to professional basketball began at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he developed into one of the top high school prospects in the country. As a junior at McEachern, Bailey averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and four blocks per game, demonstrating his all-around abilities on both ends of the court. His performance continued to improve, and he elevated his game to an even higher level during his senior season.
During his senior year at McEachern, Bailey averaged an impressive 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game. His outstanding play earned him the prestigious Mr. Georgia Basketball award, recognizing him as the top high school player in the state. He was also selected to participate in three marquee all-American events: the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoop Summit, placing him among the elite high school prospects nationally.
Bailey was a consensus five-star recruit and ranked among the top players in the 2024 recruiting class by all major recruiting services. His combination of size, scoring ability, and defensive instincts made him one of the most sought-after prospects in his class. On January 15, 2023, Bailey made his college commitment decision, choosing Rutgers over offers from several blue-blood programs including Ohio State, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, and Oregon. He signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the Scarlet Knights on November 12, 2023, during the early signing period, officially joining the Rutgers basketball family.
Airious “Ace” Bailey Career
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2024–2025)
Bailey became the highest-ranked recruit in Rutgers program history when he arrived on campus, representing a significant milestone for the Scarlet Knights basketball program. After missing the first two games of the season due to injury, he made his highly anticipated college debut on November 15, 2024, against Monmouth. Bailey made an immediate impact, scoring 17 points while adding six rebounds, two steals, and one block in a winning effort that announced his arrival to college basketball.
He recorded his first career double-double just five days later, posting 23 points and 10 rebounds in a game against Merrimack. Bailey’s breakthrough performance came on January 2, 2025, when he scored a career-high 39 points in a victory over Indiana, earning him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors alongside Kasparas Jakucionis. He received the recognition again on January 19 after leading Rutgers to a 2-0 week with two double-doubles: 20 points and 10 rebounds against UCLA, and 24 points with 11 rebounds against Nebraska. At the conclusion of his freshman season, Bailey declared for the 2025 NBA Draft on April 23, 2025, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He finished his collegiate career having earned Third-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.
Utah Jazz Era (2025–Present)
The Utah Jazz selected Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, securing the talented forward to build around for their future. He officially signed with the Jazz on July 2, 2025, joining a young roster that also included first-round selection Walter Clayton Jr. Bailey quickly adapted to the professional level, showcasing the skills that made him a top prospect.
On January 22, 2026, Bailey recorded a then-career-high 25 points, along with six rebounds and three assists, in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. Less than a month later, on February 10, during a game against the Atlanta Hawks, Bailey surpassed the 500-point milestone in his 45th career game. At 19 years and 181 days old, he became the youngest player in Jazz franchise history to reach 500 career points, highlighting his rapid production and importance to the team’s future. He followed that milestone with a career-high 32-point performance in a 122-112 victory over the Washington Wizards on March 5, 2026.
Playing Style and Strengths
Bailey plays the small forward position for the Utah Jazz, utilizing his 6-foot-9 frame to impact games on both ends of the court. His scoring ability ranges from inside the paint to the mid-range game, and his rebounding instincts have translated well from his high school and college days to the professional level. His defensive capabilities, including his shot-blocking ability developed during his high school career, provide value to his team on that end of the floor. His basketball IQ, honed through years of learning from his family members with extensive basketball experience, helps him make smart decisions with the ball and read opposing defenses effectively.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bailey’s rookie season included several notable achievements that underscored his potential as a future NBA star. Becoming the youngest player in Jazz franchise history to score 500 career points stands as a significant franchise milestone. His 32-point performance against the Washington Wizards demonstrated his ability to take over games offensively when given the opportunity. Being named NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2026 validated his strong first professional season and positioned him among the top first-year players in the league.
Airious “Ace” Bailey Career Wins
Throughout his young career spanning high school, college, and his initial professional seasons, Bailey has accumulated an impressive list of accolades and achievements at every level. His success began in high school, continued through his single college season at Rutgers, and has carried over to his NBA career with the Utah Jazz.
Rutgers and College Highlights
During his one season at Rutgers, Bailey made an immediate and lasting impact on the program. He earned Third-team All-Big Ten honors and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, recognition that placed him among the top players in one of college basketball’s most competitive conferences. His 39-point performance against Indiana stood as the highlight of his collegiate career, demonstrating his ability to take over games against quality opposition. He finished his college career with multiple 30-point performances and several double-doubles, leaving Rutgers as the highest-ranked recruit in program history.
High School and Recruiting Highlights
Prior to college, Bailey established himself as one of the top high school prospects in the country. His Mr. Georgia Basketball award represented the pinnacle of his high school career, while his selections to the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit placed him among the elite national prospects in the 2024 class. His commitment to Rutgers over multiple blue-chip programs validated his status as a coveted recruit.
Airious “Ace” Bailey Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Bailey comes from an exceptionally accomplished basketball family that spans multiple generations and levels of the sport. His mother, Ramika McGee, played college basketball at West Virginia University, providing her son with early exposure to Division I athletics. His father, Richard Bailey, competed at the collegiate level at the University of Houston, further establishing basketball as a family tradition.
The basketball achievements in the family extend beyond his parents. His aunt, Venus Lacy, achieved the highest honor in the sport by winning a gold medal as a member of Team USA’s women’s basketball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Lacy also played professionally in the WNBA, giving Ace Bailey multiple family members who have navigated the pathway from college to professional basketball. This extensive basketball lineage has provided Bailey with unique insights into what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Bailey spent his formative years in the city before relocating to Georgia for high school. He maintains strong connections to both locations, having attended schools in both Tennessee and Georgia. His Instagram presence under the handle @acebailey reflects his engagement with fans and the basketball community as he continues his professional career with the Utah Jazz.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Bailey’s rookie year in the NBA following his selection by the Utah Jazz with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After signing with the Jazz on July 2, 2025, he joined a young and developing team building for the future. His transition from college to professional basketball represented the next step in a basketball journey that had seen him dominate at every level.
Bailey’s rookie season with the Jazz featured several breakthrough performances that demonstrated his scoring ability and all-around game. His 25-point game against the San Antonio Spurs early in the 2026 calendar year showed his capability to contribute significantly on offense. The milestone of becoming the youngest player in Jazz franchise history to score 500 career points, achieved at just 19 years old, underscored his rapid adaptation to NBA competition and his importance to the team’s long-term plans.
Looking ahead, Bailey enters subsequent seasons with the Jazz focused on continuing his development and establishing himself as a cornerstone piece of the franchise. His combination of size, skill, basketball intelligence, and work ethic positions him well for a successful NBA career. With the support of the Jazz organization and his family’s basketball wisdom, Bailey has the foundation in place to pursue excellence at the professional level for years to come.