Ace Bailey is all set to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after flashing elite shot-making potential during his freshman season at Rutgers. The 6’7″ forward has been lauded for his willingness to take and make difficult shots, and averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season.
Bailey’s game speaks for itself, but the people behind his journey have been equally talented basketball players. His parents were both impressive college basketball players, while his aunt also made it to the WNBA.
Meet Ace Bailey’s Parents, Richard Bailey and Ramika McGee
Ace was born on August 13, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Richard Bailey and Ramika McGee. Richard played college basketball for the Houston Cougars, and his 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 his basketball expertise, Richard guided Ace from a young age, fostering his development into one of the top basketball prospects in the 2024 high school class.
Meanwhile, McGee 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, and averaged 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in the 2001-02 season.
During her time at West Virginia, she faced many injuries. In the 2002-03 season, she tore her ACL 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 and finished her career averaging 2.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Like Richard, she also played an essential role in Ace’s rise to the top of the draft boards. She has been present at Rutgers games to support Ace and has reportedly raised the freshman alone and later with his stepfather, Antoric Wilson.
Agreed—except on one thing: Ace Bailey grew up in a two-parent household.
While his biological father wasn’t around, he was raised by his mom and stepdad.
Solid upbringing. His mom played ball at WVU and his aunt is Olympian Venus Lacey. https://t.co/tTED2l08lU pic.twitter.com/De771sDykd
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) June 18, 2025
Ace’s aunt, Venus Lacy, was also a WNBA player and a 1996 Olympic gold medalist. She played two seasons for the New York Liberty in 1999 and 2000.
Ace shared an 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 three females in my life. Love you all.”
McGee is the mother of four children, and while no information is publicly available about them, her daughter Airiel Bailey recently graduated. “Congratulations lil sis,” Ace wrote in an Instagram story for her.
