Player Feature: Lee Bailey, Country Day
28. May, 2009 
5 Comments
A typical day for Lee Bailey is far more time consuming than the average 16 year old. Besides the tough academics that Country Day upholds, Bailey participated at the varsity level in football, basketball and track. But what most people don’t know about Lee is that his biggest talent might not be seen on any playing field. Lee is a standout in the Country Day choir and theater.
Bailey has spent the early spring juggling track, choir, and AAU basketball where he is the starting point guard for the Team Detroit 16-u team.
Last Friday Bailey qualified and participated in the MHSAA track regionals, where he finished 5th in the 300 hurdles. He then raced off to his choir performance where he was being judged for a final grade. Early the next morning Bailey had to endure a five hour trip to an AAU tournament.
“Yeah, it is very hard to play 3 varsity sports to go along with school and choir. I just try to manage my time as good as possible so that I can be good at everything I do and not have any sort of drop off in school,” states Bailey. Oh, by the way have I mentioned that Bailey also keeps a 3.4 grade point average at a school with such high academic demands.
Now with a kid as committed to athletics you wonder where choir comes from? “I just enjoy music; I like the idea of fitting into an image of something you’re not. I think its fun to have a different personality for a change. I’ve been involved with theater since 6th grade,” says Bailey.
Bailey has proven to be a standout in both track and football. In track Bailey participated in multiple events but excelled at the 300 hurdles where he won most of his races. In football he was the starting corner for a team that fell short in the state finals at Ford Field. But it is almost obvious that Bailey’s true love comes on the hardwood. Bailey spent his sophomore season on a team that spent the season ranked in the top 10 nationally.
And now Bailey is turning heads with his play as the starting point guard for Team Detroit. Bailey is averaging close to 17 points a game while keeping his assist average right around 8 per game. Those numbers are phenomenal but what makes Bailey standout is his ability to run the point and keeping his teammates involved at all times. He’s the type of point guard that every coach would love to have because he always has a handle on the game.
“My role has heavily increased as a player from the school season to AAU season. In school I was basically a role player who came in, and anything I did was a bonus because I was playing behind Ray McCallum Jr. (one of the nation’s top players). But now that AAU has started I am expected to lead and put up numbers for my team to win. I am expected to produce game in and game out, which are challenges I love as a player,” states Bailey.
So while the daily planner stays filled for Lee, he continues to excel and improve in everything he attempts to do. It makes me wonder if there is some sort of secret formula for success that Lee has hidden? “Its just time for me to step up, the real secret is just staying focused, truly putting in the work, and staying on top of my game,” adds Bailey.
And colleges are quickly taking notice of Bailey’s production in the early part of the AAU season. Schools such as Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Iowa, Detroit, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Duquesne, Xavier, Bowling Green, and DePaul have all shown interest.
But if sports don’t work out Bailey will always have Broadway!
I am GODLY PROUD of my nephew Lee Bailey II. Did you ever notice, the harder you work the more successful you become? My
Not surprised by this multi-talented student athlete! His parents and grandparent(Cliff Turner)- are his “secret” weapons. It’s in his DNA!
Cliff:
Thanks for sharing. What an outstanding young man!
I can feel your pride!
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Congrats!!!!
Your leadership skills help alot of up and coming ballplayers. Thanks for leading the way for those around you.