Five-star forward Airious “Ace” Bailey confirmed to 247Sports that committed to Rutgers on Sunday afternoon.
Bailey is the sixth-ranked overall prospect in the Class of 2024, per the 247Sports composite, and the highest-ranked player ever to commit to Rutgers, according to multiple reports.
On Jan. 1, Bailey revealed a list of his top 12 schools, which included Rutgers alongside traditional basketball powerhouses like Kentucky, Kansas and Memphis. The Powder Springs, Ga., native was also considering Georgia and other SEC programs.
But Bailey was in attendance for the Scarlet Knights’ 68-64 overtime win over Ohio State on Sunday in Piscataway, N.J. The win pushed Rutgers to 13-5 overall (5-2 Big Ten), almost assuring it of a spot in Monday’s new AP Top 25 poll.
The win also apparently convinced Bailey to sign up for coach Steve Pikiell’s program.
“Yes, I did commit. I just felt at home,” Bailey told 247Sports. “I committed to Coach Pikiell. I was in the locker room after the game. It was quiet, I walked in, I told Coach Pike … and everyone went crazy.”
Bailey is AAU teammates with another Rutgers commit, Class of 2023 point guard Jamichael Davis.
Rutgers previously earned a commitment from Class of 2024 four-star point guard Dellquan Warren.
–Field Level Media
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