Justin Bailey (basketball)


Justin Bailey is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Hartford before playing overseas for 13 years as a professional in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Kazakhstan and Russia.

High school career

Bailey was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and grew up in nearby Piscataway, where he attended Piscataway Township High School, leading the school's basketball team to a 23–2 record and a Group IV state championship as a junior in 1993–94.

College career

Bailey began his college career in 1995–96, joining the Hartford Hawks as a freshman. He averaged 12.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 28 games in his first season, earning himself North Atlantic Conference All-Rookie Team honors.
As a sophomore playing for the Hawks in 1996–97, Bailey was considered the team's super-sub after a preseason ankle injury moved him to the bench. In 28 games on the season, Bailey averaged 12.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
As a junior in 1997–98, Bailey earned first-team All-North Atlantic Conference honors after averaging 20.1 points and 5.0 rebounds in 27 games. In addition, he led the league in free throw percentage and steals in 1997–98.
As co-captain his senior year in 1998–99, Bailey earned second-team All-America East Conference honors after averaging 20.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 27 games. He scored 1,086 combined points as a junior and senior, and with his 20-point-per-game average both years, he became only the second player to do so in consecutive seasons in the Division I era. He finished his career third all-time in scoring and is among Hartford's top ten in nine different career statistical categories. Included are the top spot in free throws made, free throw percentage and steals.
In 2009, Bailey was inducted into Hartford's Athletics Hall of Fame.

College statistics

Professional career

Europe

After going undrafted in the 1999 NBA draft, Bailey moved to France where he began his professional career with Levallois. However, his stint lasted just two months, as he was released by the club on October 26 after appearing in just nine games. Over those nine games, he averaged 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 21.8 minutes per game.
The following year, Bailey moved to Portugal where he joined Belenenses for the 2000–01 season. On the season, he averaged 26.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.
In January 2002, Bailey signed with Sacil HLB Pavia of Italy for the rest of the 2001–02 season. In 20 games for Pavia, he averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Bailey had a three-year hiatus from basketball between May 2002 and March 2005. He returned to Portugal and joined FC Porto late in the 2004–05 season. In 9 regular season games for Porto, he averaged 8.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals in 23.8 minutes per game. He also played in 7 playoff games for the club, averaging 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.4 steals in 23.7 minutes per game.

Australia and New Zealand

On July 31, 2006, Bailey signed with the West Sydney Razorbacks for the 2006–07 NBL season. During preseason, he suffered a knee strain in a freakish accident on a golf course. He subsequently missed the first two games of the regular season. In late December, he missed a two-game North Queensland road trip due to an ankle injury. He appeared in 29 of the Razorbacks' 33 games in 2006–07, averaging 14.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 30.9 minutes per game. His efforts were in vain though as the Razorbacks finished the season in last place with a dismal 5–28 win/loss record.
Following the conclusion of the Razorbacks' season, Bailey moved to New Zealand where he joined the Otago Nuggets for the 2007 New Zealand NBL season. The Nuggets, like the Razorbacks, finished last on the ladder with a 2–16 win/loss record. Bailey appeared in all 18 games for the Nuggets, averaging 23.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game.

Mexico and Kazakhstan

Bailey joined Correcaminos UAT Victoria in Mexico following his stint in New Zealand, but managed just four games for the club before departing in November 2007. He later moved to Kazakhstan and signed with the Astana Tigers for the rest of the 2007–08 season, helping the team win the Kazakhstani Cup and the Kazakhstani League championship. They won the League Finals series 3–1, with Bailey scoring 25 points in Game 1 of the best-of-five series.

Russia and second New Zealand stint

Bailey spent the 2008–09 season in Russia playing for Sibirtelecom Lokomotiv Novosibirsk, averaging 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 steals in 18 games. Following his stint in Russia, Bailey returned to New Zealand where he joined the Waikato Pistons for the 2009 New Zealand NBL season. He helped lead the Pistons back to the NBL Finals where they defeated the Nelson Giants 2–0, winning back-to-back championships for the second time in franchise history. Bailey earned Finals MVP honors after recording 32 points and six assists in Game 2. He appeared in all 19 games for the Pistons in 2009, averaging 19.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

Sweden

In January 2010, Bailey signed with the Sundsvall Dragons of Sweden for the rest of the 2009–10 season. In 16 games for Sundsvall, he averaged 6.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Final season

In 2012, Bailey returned to New Zealand for one final season, this time joining the Harbour Heat. However, the season turned out to be much like the 2007 season with Otago, as the Heat finished the regular season in last place with a 3–13 win/loss record. Bailey was a bright spark for the team, winning Player of the Week honors for Round 10 after scoring a season-high 33 points on May 2 against the Manawatu Jets, and 18 points on May 5 also against the Jets. He appeared in all 16 games for the Heat in 2012, averaging 18.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

Post-playing career

In 2013, Bailey began teaching and coaching basketball at high schools in Florida. In 2016, Bailey returned to New Zealand and was appointed team manager of the New Zealand Breakers. In March 2017, Bailey was named in the Super City Rangers squad for the Northern Blitz tournament. He later became a teacher at Long Bay College in Auckland.
In June 2020, Bailey was appointed an assistant coach for the Otago Nuggets' 2020 season. He helped guide the Nuggets to the championship.