Player: Ian Bailey
Height: 6’3
School: Asheville Christian
AAU: Team Vision
At the Phenom Challenge, 2026 Ian Bailey was a player that sat on top of our lists of “breakout players” or “big-time performers.” No matter how you label it and how much you have watched him play, Bailey showed why he is a proven D1 prospect here in North Carolina and why he should be a target for many in the region.
Bailey opened our eyes to his game a couple of years ago as a young guard who showed flashes of potential. He has turned that potential into reality, leading the charge in impressive fashion for Team Vision. The 6’3 guard has only gotten bigger and stronger, but his game has also improved over the year.
When you watch how Bailey operates, you have to be impressed with his overall feel for the game. He knows and understands how to run the offense, playing with pace and feel, showing the ability to be a facilitator and creator, making high IQ decisions, and has another gear in being a true scorer for himself. Bailey’s feel and pace impress, especially with how he sees the floor. And that doesn’t mention his ability to be a true scoring threat off the bounce, finishing through contact, getting to his spots, and scoring from various levels.
Right now, he holds offers from Asheville, Stetson, and Western Carolina, and in speaking with his high school coach, Asheville has been a strong program with him throughout. But again, this is a young man who has proven he should be on several other programs’ radars, as he hopes to have a huge summer this year.
What Has Been Said:
“Bailey is a unique, high-IQ guard that you often don’t see when talking about bringing a balanced attack like he does. When the ball is in his hands, he excels tremendously in how he can create and make things happen, whether for himself or others. Bailey has exceptional court awareness and vision, and he plays extremely under control, allowing him to make the right reads, see what the defense is giving him, and operate in open space. Bailey also brings an exceptional feel of unselfishness but also the ability to create for himself. Operating in the halfcourt, he does a great job in allowing the play to develop, attacking the open spots, and always knows where his teammates are and looking to set him up. But one can see that he is getting stronger and way more confident in his offensive scoring capabilities, whether it is displaying athleticism at the rim, his dribble pull-up, or catching in rhythm to knock down shots from deep.”
“2026 Ian Bailey from Asheville Christian has certainly been a name on the rise over the last year or so, and now with him heading into the summer with Team Curry, Bailey is hoping to really showcase his talent. This is a guard that has a tremendous feel for the game, plays with a high IQ, can score as well as facilitate, and plays at a natural pace. It seems like the game slows down for him with him reading the court and being that playmaker, as he has been showing that this summer early on for Team Curry 16u.”