The debut of Rutgers basketball phenom Ace Bailey will have to wait.
The five-star freshman was ruled out of Wednesday night’s season opener at home against Wagner with an injury — a surprise development announced several hours before tip-off.
Bailey sustained the undisclosed injury during practice on Monday and is considered day-to-day, the university said.
The unexpected inactive served as a disappointing start to a Rutgers season filled with hype.
Bailey, a 6-10 wing from Powder Springs, Ga., is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, as is fellow Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper, a 6-6 guard from Franklin Lakes, N.J.
Both were top-five recruits in ESPN’s 2024 rankings, bringing national attention and atypical expectations to a Rutgers program with only two NCAA Tournament berths since 1991.
“They’re elite passers, great kids from great families and I’m thankful that they’re here,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said in September at media day. “I think the guys around them also appreciate their skill set and their work. They’re both going to have really good years. They’re talented players, but, ultimately, they work.”
Bailey, whose given first name is Airious, scored a team-high 25 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range, in an exhibition against St. John’s last month.
Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, scored 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting in the 91-86 loss to the Rick Pitino-led Johnnies.
“Their best basketball years are ahead of them,” Pikiell said in September. “These kids had a lot of choices now and they picked us, so we’re very appreciative.”
Bailey currently ranks second on ESPN’s big board for the 2025 draft, while Harper ranks third. The only player in front of them is star Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, who recorded 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the Blue Devils’ season-opening 96-62 win over Maine on Monday.
With Bailey and Harper in the mix, Rutgers began the season ranked No. 25 in the AP poll. It’s the first time since 2020 and the third time in school history that Rutgers began a season ranked.
“Our expectations haven’t changed,” Pikiell said at media day. “We’ve always had high expectations. Just because we get Ace and Dylan doesn’t mean they go any higher. We expect to be really good this year. We expect to play the best defense on a top-10 defensive team.”
Bailey’s next chance to make his Rutgers debut comes Monday, when the Scarlet Knights are set to host Saint Peter’s.
