"Next Durant", "Develop that Paul George sh**": Fans compare Ace Bailey to NBA players after impressive game vs Penn State
Freshman Ace Bailey recorded the third double-double of his basketball career behind 15 points and 15 rebounds, helping Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeat Penn State (80-76) on Tuesday. It was a balanced effort by Bailey as he scored eight points in the first half and seven in the second.
The 6-foot-10 guard missed all of his 3-pointers but shot 60% on timely attempts from inside the arc. Bailey made a putback off his own miss in the last minute to extend Rutgers’ lead to four points before grabbing a defensive rebound and being fouled on the other end.
Fans stormed social media with elite comparisons for the Rutgers freshman after the performance:
"Next Durant," a fan wrote.
"Just wanna know who’s developing him right now, his ceiling SO HIGH but someone has to be pouring into him so he can polish up," another fan commented.
"He gonna take over for Kuzma in Washington next year," another fan wrote.
More fans joined in to praise the No. 2 recruit in the nation:
"15 boards and 2 blocks when the shot not falling he’s gonna be a dude 👍," a fan commented.
"Now this is the Ace we need. Let the NBA develop that Paul George s**t," another fan wrote.
"Ace will be an okc legend," another fan commented.
Ace Bailey determined to take advantage of his age and athleticism
Ace Bailey entered the college basketball circuit as the best player in the nation, evaluated only behind Cooper Flagg. Bailey complimented his long frame with his intensity on the court, which he aims to use to his advantage in his early college career.
"I'm 16, I know I'm athletic, I know I can jump out the gym," Bailey said in the post-game interview after defeating Penn State. "So I know rebound, rebound, rebound, rebound. So, I'm using that, it's my advantage and it's been helping. So I'm going to keep using it." (0:40)
Ace Bailey is averaging 17.5 points and 7.1 rebounds across his first eight games. He is only the fourth freshman to record a double-double this season and the second freshman to have three in eight contests.