“People get distracted”: Rutgers’ Ace Bailey makes honest admission about keeping himself grounded amid all the hype

Rutgers guard Ace Bailey spoke about life as a star athlete in an interview with Bleacher Report on Monday. The freshman basketball player was open about what happens when “people get distracted" because of the hype around them.

Bailey, a 6-foot-10 guard averaging 19.0 points and 5.7 rebounds, sat with BR’s Taylor Rooks to discuss the hype around his freshman year among other topics.

"A lot of people, I feel like they don't have a circle around," Bailey said. "They don't be around people that navigate them down the right direction, so people get distracted behind the likes, the views and all of it.”

On the matter of distraction, Bailey spoke about priorities after attaining some level of success and blocking out the noise to remain focused.

"They don't keep the main thing as the main thing once they get a little bit of success,” Bailey said. "So, I feel like once you got this circle, they keep him tight, keep your head well grounded."

He spoke about the fame and how he has been able to separate social media from on-court performance. Bailey explained his principle to life and how it has helped him manage his growing popularity.

"I can't stop being what got me here and start changing myself," Bailey said. "I just stay grounded. A lot of people, when they get what they need, they change who they are. Just have to stay true to yourself.”

Ace Bailey hails Cooper Flagg’s quality

Ace Bailey recognized Cooper Flagg’s ability and praised the guard's qualities when asked his thoughts about the Duke freshman star who is the prospective No. 1 NBA draft pick.

"He is a great player," Bailey said. "I mean, he does it all. I mean, defense and offense, he's a great player. He got great vision. I mean he can pass and can shoot. He can do it all.”

Copper Flagg leads the Blue Devils with 17.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg and 3.8 apg.