Ace Bailey Day-to-Day with Injury, Will Miss Rutgers' 2024-25 CBB Opener vs. Wagner

Rutgers fans will have to wait a bit longer before they get to see star freshman Ace Bailey in action.

The Scarlet Knights announced on Wednesday that Bailey suffered an undisclosed injury in practice that will force him to miss their season opener against Wagner. The highly-touted wing player is considered day-to-day.

According to Brian Fonseca of NJ Advance Media, one person with knowledge of the situation said Bailey's injury "is not expected to be a long-term issue" and his absence in Wednesday night's game "is precautionary." However, his status for Monday's game against St. Peter's remains "unclear."

A 5-star small forward, Bailey was ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the nation in the class of 2024 in 247Sports' composite behind only Duke star Cooper Flagg. He is the highest-rated recruit in Rutgers program history and a likely lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

Bailey gave Scarlet Knights fans a taste of what to expect from him in a charity exhibition against St. John's last month where he posted 25 points, five rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block in a 91-85 loss.

Along with fellow 5-star prospect Dylan Harper, Bailey gives Rutgers its best chance to continue building on the turnaround the program has experienced under head coach Steve Pikiell, who led the team to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022 followed by a trip to the NIT in 2023.

It may take some patience, but fans will be in for a treat when Bailey is healthy enough to make his return to the court for the Scarlet Knights.