Ace Bailey dunk and other Rutgers basketball workout highlights
Ace Bailey’s insane dunk and other Rutgers basketball workout highlights
Rutgers basketball’s most anticipated season in decades will open without one of its star attractions.
Freshman wing Ace Bailey, a candidate to be the first overall selection in June’s NBA Draft, will miss tonight’s opener against Wagner due to an injury suffered in practice Monday, the Asbury Park Press has confirmed. The news was first reported by NJ Advance Media.
Bailey’s status is day to day and his injury, the nature of which is undisclosed, will continue to be evaluated, the program announced. Rutgers’ next game is next Monday, Nov. 11 against Saint Peter’s.
The 6-foot-9 Georgia native dazzled in his collegiate debut, scoring 25 points in a 91-85 exhibition-game loss to St. John’s. His absence will mean at least 30 additional minutes for his teammates and should lead to bigger roles for Princeton transfer forward Zach Martini and Merrimack transfer wing Jordan Derkack, both of whom have impressed head coach Steve Pikiell during the preseason.
It may also create more reps for freshman center Lathan Sommerville as Pikiell juggles his rotation and player combinations. Look for Pikiell to experiment, possibly using two of Sommerville, Martini and starting center Emmanuel Ogbole on the floor at the same time.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
