Blockbuster Ace Bailey puts on breathtaking performance in The Battle in New Jersey
Approximately 2 minutes into McEachern High School’s game against Camden High School at The Battle in New Jersey, five-star Rutgers men’s basketball signee Airious “Ace” Bailey grabbed a defensive rebound and dribbled nonchalantly down the court before suddenly crossing over, bursting down the lane and dropping down a thunderous dunk.
The crowd, many of whom were Scarlet Knights fans still getting to their seats, audibly gasped at the six-foot-eight forward’s slam.
“I gotta put on a show for the people,” Bailey said after the game.
The emphatic dunk would be the start of a 40-point, 21-rebound and three-block eruption for Bailey, as he led the Indians (8-3) past the Panthers (5-1) 77-52. Towards the end of the game, Bailey went out to the center of the court, amidst a chorus of cheers, to receive a well-deserved ovation.
“The crowd gave great energy,” Bailey said. “I mean it’s just a high school game, I wonder what it's gonna be like when I get here.”
It was not just the eye-popping stat line Bailey produced in his first game playing at Jersey Mike’s Arena on Livingston campus, it was the numerous highlight plays Bailey made on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Bailey routinely brought the crowd to life through his back-to-back blocks in the third quarter, his bullet passes, his deep three-point shots and his dunks.
The Battle in New Jersey showcased 10 high school teams with plenty of talented players like Ian Jackson, Karter Knox and future Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, but it was Bailey who stole the show.
Bailey is far from a finished product, as his shot selection was extremely questionable, and his defensive effort in the second half was lackluster. That said, he may be the most explosive athlete in college basketball since Zion Williamson donned the famous blue and white Duke jersey.
Simply put, Bailey is blockbuster and, though he may take far too many ill-advised shots during his time on the Banks, he is also going to frequently send the crowd into a frenzy next year.
The sky is the limit for both Bailey and a Knights team with Bailey on it, and watching him in The Battle in New Jersey reaffirmed that.
“It's going to be dope man, we are going to try and bring us a natty(national title),” Bailey said after the game.
Rutgers' other five-star 2024 commitment, Harper, did not play in The Battle in New Jersey due to what looked like a knee injury he suffered when Don Bosco Preparatory High School faced the Patrick School on Wednesday. Despite the setback, Harper did not seem concerned about the longevity of the injury.
“It feels good,” Harper said about his knee. “Just taking a little time off, a little rest, getting my body back to being 100 percent.”
Though Harper did not play in the Ironmen’s (5-2) game against Cardinal Hayes High School, he did stay after the game to watch Bailey take the hardwood.
“It means everything,” Harper said about watching his future teammates play. “Coming out here watching my guys play, those will be my teammates, my brothers for all next year. So just really coming out here seeing what they are able to do and just knowing that next year is going to be a great year.”
Bailey and Harper may have headlined the event, but they were not the only future Knights to play in The Battle in New Jersey. Four-star center Lathan Sommerville played in the first game of the afternoon, helping Richwood High School defeat College Achieve Public Schools 81-71.
Sommerville was the best player on the floor and led all scorers with 28 points on a hyper-efficient 10 for 15 from the floor and 3 for 4 from beyond the arc.
“I shot the ball well, especially in the first half,” Sommerville said after the game.
Sommerville also had eight rebounds, four blocks and a highlight-reel anklebreaker on David Mauro.
“Nah, that’s just natural, that comes natural,” Sommerville said of his dribbling skills. “I got a little shift to me.”
Sommerville was a willing shooter and showcased an impressive touch around the basket. He also displayed his ability to pass when the defense began keying in on him.
One thing Sommerville seemingly lacked was physicality on both ends of the floor. On defense, guards were able to force contact and get their way to an easier layup and on offense, Sommerville struggled to attack the basket at times. Though Sommerville failed to play bully ball against a much shorter team, that could have been part of the game plan, as he was making multiple shots from the perimeter.
Sommerville will need to play a more physical brand of basketball when he gets to the collegiate level but in The Battle in New Jersey, he showcased skills that could make him a multi-year contributor for Rutgers.
Harper, Bailey and Sommerville headline a 2024 class that is ranked as the third-best recruiting class in the nation, and the entire class is set to bring unparalleled levels of excitement to the Banks.
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