"Baby faced assassin," "Don't jump on the bandwagon now": Impressive Ace Bailey showcase stirs fan debate despite Rutgers loss
Despite losing 81-77 to the No. 20-ranked Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday in Nevada, Rutgers Scarlet Knights' freshman Ace Bailey has captivated the interest of many fans. The defeat gave the Scarlet Knights a sixth-place finish to the 2024 Players Era Festival, but Bailey still had himself a night with a team-high 24 points, 10 rebounds, an assist and two steals in 35 minutes of play.
Fans quickly took notice of the freshman standout's talents, with many jumping on the Bailey hype train.
"Ay dont jump on the bandwagon now," one fan said.
"Baby faced assassin," another expressed.
"Ace Bailey be balling," another user wrote.
The guard's fanbase is seemingly taking shape, thanks to his consistent success. Many are even starting to believe that Bailer is NBA-ready and could be a one-and-done player.
"Ace Bailey almost reminds me of a Paul George and Cam Reddish type player coming out of college." One user shared.
"Ace Bailey may go #1," another proclaimed.
"The best way to get New Orleans back invested in the Pelicans is to give yourself the best chance at being in position to get Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, or Bailey," one fan wrote.
Performances like his past one can propel Bailey's draft stock as the whole Rutgers squad aims for a deep run in their 2024-2025 campaign.
After Saturday's loss, Bailey and the rest of the Scarlet Knights will have the opportunity to add a win to their 5-3 record with an upcoming road game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday at the Value City Arena.
How good is Ace Bailey?
With all the buzz surrounding Duke Blue Devil Cooper Flagg and his projected one-and-done collegiate career, Bailey may be creating some noise as well for himself due to his recent string of successful outings.
The 6-foot-10 athlete has scored in double figures in every game this season, including 23 against Merrimack and 22 versus Alabama besides his career-high 24 from Sunday. Bailey is averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, showcasing his prowess on both ends of the court.