2024 five-star Ace Bailey includes Kentucky in list cut

Kentucky remains in the running for one of the top recruits in the junior class. 2024 five-star forward Ace Bailey, ranked No. 7 overall and No. 2 among power forwards in the On3 Consensus, included the Wildcats in his first list cut.

Kentucky joins Georgia, Rutgers, Auburn, Texas, Memphis, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas, West Virginia, Arkansas and Oregon on his updated list.

He previously held offers from nearly 30 schools, with the 6-foot-9, 210-pound prospect out of Chattanooga, TN telling On3 that the Wildcats, Longhorns, Scarlet Knights, Bulldogs and Tigers are the programs recruiting him the hardest. All five programs were included in his first cut.

Bailey previously planned to attend Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness in October, but was unable to make the trip. A visit to Lexington remains in the works, with trips to Oregon and Texas also in the works.

What do you need to know about the versatile forward’s game?

“I can dribble, shoot the ball, my IQ is high, able to make plays off the dribble, catch and shoot — I do it all,” he told On3. “I like to watch Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Jayson Tatum.”

Glory to God…AB4 pic.twitter.com/cumpggbSHc

— Ace Bailey (@AiriousB) January 1, 2023

When asked about Kentucky, Bailey told On3 that his interest comes down to head coach John Calipari and his history of putting players in the NBA. A potential future lottery selection himself, he wants to learn from a coach who has a history of turning those dreams into a reality for players like him.

“It’s Calipari,” he said. “I can’t say too much. It’s just him. He’s put a lot of people in the league. From my position, to centers, everybody.”

Auburn is seen as the top contender to land the talented forward, who attends McEachern High School in Georgia — the alma mater of former Tiger standout Sharife Cooper.

“I like how they play, with their big guards like with Jabari (Smith), JT Thor. A lot of guys in my position, they’ve put in the league,” he said of Auburn. “A lot of people compare me to Jabari. Bruce Pearl is a tough coach. He coaches hard.”

Scouting Summary

“Ace Bailey is a lengthy and explosive forward prospect in the 2024 class,” On3’s Jamie Shaw said. “He has a lot of natural tools to work with, and it is easy to see why the college coaches are already lining to track his progress. At the same time, Bailey is far from a finished product, his ability to handle and shoot the ball in the half-court intrigues. He played with a go-get-the-ball mentality, which translates while you sharpen everything else. With his bloodlines and athletic genes, make sure to earmark this name and look for Bailey to track as a national-level recruit.”