Each and every time Phenom Hoops gets to report or see a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day. It is great to see players achieve their goal of playing at the next level, and it is a truly remarkable accomplishment for them. Here is the latest commitment.
Player: Ian Bailey
Class: 2026
Committed to: UNC-Asheville
Phenom 1-on-1:
Phenom: What made you ultimately decide on UNC-Asheville? What were some of the deciding factors?
Bailey: Ultimately, I decided on UNC-Asheville because of their track record of winning and focus on strong guard play. Other factors included the competitive culture and strong family atmosphere surrounding the program.
Phenom: What has that relationship been like with that staff over the years? What has it meant to you?
Bailey: It’s been great. I feel like I’ve really gotten to know all of them and what they’re all about. It’s meant a lot to me because I feel like I have a good relationship with the whole staff, and I feel like I’ll be able to come in and just be myself.
Phenom: What will it be like to play college ball in your backyard? How much does that excite you?
Bailey: It will be a great feeling for sure. I remember going to watch UNC-Asheville games as a kid, so it’ll be a surreal feeling getting to play for them. It’s very exciting to be able to play for my hometown and represent the city I was raised in.
What Has Been Said by Phenom Hoops:
“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.”