Justin Bailey said he had no idea what to expect when he placed his name in the NCAA Transfer Portal.
But when some of the names of interested schools started rolling in, it really opened his eyes.
“That was exciting and overwhelming,” Bailey said in a telephone interview with UGASports.com. “But I'm thankful for it all. I had a great group of people around me that helped me to just be able to marginalize what I wanted and what I was looking for. Georgia ultimately was the best fit for me.”
Bailey had plenty of other good options.
“I waited about a week before I entered because I did want to come back to Wofford. But I felt like I was doing myself a disservice if I didn't really see what's out there and things like that,” Bailey said. “As soon as I entered, I had Virginia Tech, Virginia, had a lot of schools, had UNLV, St. John's, Xavier, Georgia, Clemson, South Carolina … But ultimately, they (Georgia) was just showing the most love.”
Bailey, who confirmed he has already signed his scholarship with the Bulldogs, will be in Athens this weekend for his official visit.
“Obviously, when you're in the portal, your transcripts and all those things, you have to handle those first,” Bailey said. “They (Georgia coaches) said that was their number one priority, and ‘We want to get you in here as quickly as possible.’”
The shooting guard from Greenville, South Carolina averaged 9.6 points for the Terriers, including 46 percent from three-point range (57 of 125).
Bailey also averaged 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and less than a turnover per game.
He becomes the second player to commit to Georgia out of the portal, joining former Cal guard Jeremiah Wilkinson.
A two-year starter for the Terriers, Bailey averaged 10.6 points as a freshman before upping his average to 11.8 points during his sophomore season.
Bailey started 74 of the 96 games he played for Wofford, including all 34 this season.
“I bonded real quick with Coach (Mike) White. He had a lot of faith in me and felt like I could be a difference maker and a locker room leader and things like that. I didn't want to waste any time,” White said of his signing with the Bulldogs. “I wanted to be a part of something special. I know Georgia made it to the tournament last year, so I'm looking to make a deep run this year with those guys.”
Bailey said the fact Georgia will once again be bringing in a lot of new faces did not deter him from picking the Bulldogs.
“I think that's just the new age of sports nowadays,” he said. “It's just like the professionals now, honestly. We're young adults. We're getting a salary now, so that's just part of it. I'm just excited. I think we'll be alright. I think we've got a good group of guys that want to win.”
Bailey expects to have more transfers join him with the Bulldogs soon.
“I know he’s (White) looking for a stretch-four,” Bailey said. “He’s looking for guys who can shoot the ball … two more guards, maybe.”
Bailey feels he can help the Bulldogs in a multitude of ways.
“I'm a great defender, but they're getting a player that can knock down timely shots, that can be a leader in the locker room, and I’m mentally strong,” Bailey said. “I know when to pass the ball, when to take good shots, and I’m going to take great timely shots. I’m just going to be a competitor and win.”
