Amari Bailey, the former UCLA standout, is seeking to make a return to college basketball by hiring legal representation to petition the NCAA for an additional season of eligibility. At just 21 years old, Bailey, who had a brief stint with the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft, expressed his desire to play another year at the collegiate level, despite the hurdles he may face.
In an interview, Bailey noted, “Right now I’d be a senior in college. I’m not trying to be 27 years old playing college athletics. No shade to the guys that do; that’s their journey. But I went to go play professionally and learned a lot, went through a lot. So like, why not me?” His ambition reflects a growing trend among former players who are exploring the possibility of returning to the NCAA after turning professional.
Bailey was drafted in the second round by the Hornets and played ten games during his rookie season on a two-way contract, averaging 2.3 points on 33.3% shooting. Following his time with Charlotte, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets and has since been involved with the Long Island Nets, as well as the Iowa Wolves, the G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Bailey’s situation is unprecedented—no player has returned to college after appearing in an NBA game—he is not alone in his pursuit. Following a similar path, Alabama’s Charles Bediako successfully returned to the Crimson Tide after spending time with different G League teams. Bediako’s eligibility is supported by the fact that he never played in an actual NBA game, thus positioning him within the NCAA’s five-year window for eligibility that began during his freshman year.
Bediako has already made an impact this season for Alabama, scoring 13 points in a game against Tennessee and 14 points in a win over Missouri. His case, like Bailey’s, highlights an evolving conversation about the eligibility of athletes navigating between professional and collegiate sports.
The NCAA, while attempting to maintain its eligibility guidelines, is facing pressures as former athletes seek to transition back into college sports. NCAA senior vice president of external affairs Tim Buckley has stated that the organization has no plans to grant eligibility to players who have signed NBA contracts, underscoring the challenges Bailey may face in his quest.
As the landscape of college athletics continues to change, Bailey’s case might pave the way for discussions about eligibility reforms. The struggles and aspirations of these young athletes not only spotlight their journeys but also raise questions about the nature of college sports in a professional era, as more players like Bailey look to reclaim their collegiate careers.