Meet the Newbies: Brett Bailey

Dec 15, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Toreros head coach Bill Grier watches the action during the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting seems to be a lost art in college basketball nowadays, especially at the wing position. In the modern age of basketball, a lot of shooting guards and small forwards are “slashers”, and do most of their damage close to the rim. That is not what the University of San Diego Men’s Basketball program is getting in freshman forward Brett Bailey, who is a 6-6 wing from Spokane, Wash. Bailey can sling it from deep, and is an assassin from three point range. Here is a closer look at Brett Bailey, the future sharpshooter for the San Diego Torero’s.

High School Career

Bailey played his high school ball at University High School, where he was the star. The University basketball team had not gone to state since 1985. In 2012 and 2013, Bailey led a perennially average high school basketball program to the 3A state championship tournament as a junior and a senior. In both of those seasons Bailey was named the Greater Spokane League (GSL) MVP. In his junior season, Bailey was named to the WIAA All-State first team, as well the WIAA State tournament first team. The Seattle Times also named Bailey to its All-State team. During his junior season, Bailey averaged 16.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. This past season, Bailey set the GSL single-game scoring record with 47 points. In that game he was an efficient 20 for 32 from the field.

Impact at San Diego

Bailey will have a chance to earn immediate significant playing time. The Torero’s have three wings on their roster; Bailey, redshirt sophomore Duda Sandze, and Cal-State Northridge transfer Thomas Jacobs. All three of them are unproven commodities, and will battle for the majority of the playing time. The favorite at this point in time might be Thomas Jacobs, because he is the seasoned vet. However, don’t count out Brett Bailey. His ability to shoot, rebound, and defend seperates him from the other two candidates. If Bailey’s transition from high school basketball to college basketball goes smoothly, expect Bailey to see the court a lot.