Ace Bailey is a 6-foot-10-inch freshman guard-forward for Rutgers University and has delivered an outstanding performance in his debut 2024-25 season. Over 30 games, he averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals.
His standout performances earned him Third-Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. Ace told ESPN on Wednesday that he is declaring for the 2025 NBA draft after one season with the Scarlet Knights.
Ace’s game speaks for itself — but the story behind it is even more compelling. With a mother who battled injuries to play at the highest level and a father whose coaching laid the foundation, Ace’s success feels less like a surprise and more like a legacy fulfilled
Ramika McGee — West Virginia Mountaineers Forward Who Defied the Odds
Ace’s Mother, Ramika M,cGee, is a former WNBA player. She played as a forward for the West Virginia Mountaineers. She began her college basketball career at Okaloosa-Walton Community College in Niceville, FL, in the early 2000s. She averaged 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in the 2001-02 season.
During her time at West Virginia University, she faced many injuries. In the 2002-03 season, she had her ACL torn in her left knee, and the next year, she suffered the same injury in her right knee. Despite these setbacks, she returned in the 2004-05 season.
Ace has shared on Instagram story about how he feels about his mother, his aunt, and his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day of 2025, he said, “Happy Valentine’s Day to the most important 3 females in my life, love you all.”.
Richard Bailey — A Former Houston Cougars Player
Richard Bailey has played college basketball for the Houston Cougars. Richard’s strict coaching got Ace where he is today. He introduced Ace to several sports such as baseball and football as early as age three, but he found his sweet spot and focused on basketball.
With Richard’s own expertise in basketball, he guided Ace from a young age, fostering his development into one of the top basketball prospects in the 2024 high school class. The basketball legacy of the family does not end here. Ace’s aunt, Venus Lacy, was a WNBA player and also a 1996 Olympic gold medalist.
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Ace is projected to be a top-five pick in this year’s draft. His size, scoring, and instincts on both sides of the court make him invaluable to any team. The 18-year-old can make shots in the paint and mid-range, while also being a good cutter on offense. Alongside, he is also skilled at spacing the floor. He is sure to get his fair share of limelight at the 2025 NBA draft, which will occur June 25-26 in New York City.
