Chattanooga native Airious “Ace” Bailey, a senior at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, is one of three finalists for the Gatorade national player of the year honor in boys’ basketball.
The announcement of Bailey as a finalist for the national award came Thursday, the same day he was revealed as the Gatorade selection as his state’s player of the year in that sport.
Earlier this month, Bailey wrapped up his prep career by leading McEachern to the GHSA Class AAAAAAA state championship game in Macon, where the Indians lost 51-41 to Grayson and junior Jacob Wilkins, the son of Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins.
Bailey was a rising star in the Chattanooga area growing up and played at Boyd Buchanan before transferring midway through his sophomore year.
(READ MORE: Ace Bailey became nation’s No. 2 hoops prospect after move)