The NBA draft has officially concluded with many draft hopefuls finding their new homes. The next generation of NBA stars are ready to take the league by storm. Former Georgia player of the year Ace Bailey was selected fifth overall where he is expected to make a big impact.
Ace Bailey was one of the biggest names in Georgia High School history. He dominated at McEachern over his three years that he played at the school (he transferred from Tennessee). He took his McEachern squad to the 2024 7A state championship before falling to Grayson. He ended his career at McEachern as a 5-star recruit and the number one recruit in Georgia.
McEachern has produced players in the NBA before with players like Sharife Cooper, Dylan Cardwell, Morris Almond and more.
He went on to play one season at Rutgers where he averaged 17.6 points per game,7.2 rebounds per game, and 1.3 blocks per game on 46% shooting from the floor. He dropped a high of 39 points against Indiana. Him and second overall pick Dylan Harper helped Rutgers to a 15-17 record last year.
Ace is listed at 6-foot-10 and weighs in at 200 pounds according to 247 Sports. The small forward was almost a unanimous top-five prospect in the NBA Draft.
Bailey uses his size to his advantage and was known to be one of the most athletic players in the draft as well as having some of the best post-moves in the draft.
He was selected fifth overall by the Utah Jazz where he will join fellow Georgia natives Isiah Collier (Wheeler), Collin Sexton (Pebblebrook, and Walker Kessler (Woodward) in the NBA. He joins a list of about 20 players in the NBA from Georgia including All-Star Anthony Edwards (Holy Spirit Prep) and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle (Newton).
Since the graduation of Bailey, McEachern went to the 6A quarterfinals last year while being led by sophomore guard Chase Lumpkin.
Bailey looks to help a Utah Jazz team that has not made the playoffs since 2022 .
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