Ace Bailey injury update: When will Rutgers basketball freshman make debut?

Ace Bailey warmed up for No. 24 Rutgers basketball on Monday, but the freshman sensation did not make his collegiate debut.

Bailey, the No. 2 overall recruit according to 247Sports Composite rankings in the 2024 recruiting class behind Duke's Cooper Flagg, has missed the first two games of the Scarlet Knights 2024-25 college basketball season. He joined No. 3 overall recruit Dylan Harper to give Rutgers the No. 9 overall recruiting class.

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While Harper had 24 points and six rebounds in the 75-65 win for the Scarlet Knights over Saint Peter's, Bailey has yet to appear in a game due to an injury. However, his coach, Steve Pikiell, provided an update on the status of the freshman sensation.

"He's close," Pikiell said following Monday's game.

Here's the latest on the status of Bailey, with Rutgers scheduled to play its third game of the season on Friday:

Ace Bailey injury updates

Bailey has been tending to a hip injury, according to Jon Rothstein. Bailey missed the Scarlet Knights opener on Nov. 6 after sustaining the injury in a Monday's practice before the season opener on Oct. 4. He also sat out Monday's 75-65 win over Saint Peter's.

The 6-foot-10, 200-pound small forward had 25 points in an exhibition 91-85 loss to St. John’s on Oct. 17. According to the Asbury Park Press, Bailey "looked fine during warmups," ahead of Monday's game. The Scarlet Knights return to action at home at Jersey Mike's Area in Piscataway, New Jersey, against Monmouth on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET. The door seems ajar for Bailey to make his debut then.

Bailey attended McEachern High in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he led the team to a Class A title after averaging 33.4 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game. Bailey committed to the Scarlett Knights over Tennessee, Kentucky and Kansas, making him the highest-ranked prospect to ever sign with Rutgers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ace Bailey injury update: When will Rutgers freshman make debut?