Amari Bailey is reportedly aiming to become the first NBA player to return to collegiate basketball.
It appears that another NBA talent is looking to re-route himself for a potential collegiate comeback.
Amari Bailey
Amari Bailey
Position: SG
Age: 21
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 84 kg
Birth place: New Orleans, United States of America
Former Charlotte Hornets prospect Amari Bailey is aiming to become the first NBA player to return to college after playing a handful of NBA games, per Dan Murphy of ESPN.
He already hired an attorney and an agent to plead his NCAA eligibility and reinstatement to join a college hoops team.
Bailey, 21, was drafted by the Hornets for the 41st pick of the 2023 NBA Draft. He played 10 games with them as a two-way player.
In 2024, he joined the Brooklyn Nets but was subsequently waived and ultimately entered their G League affiliate, Long Island Nets.
He last played as a member of the Iowa Wolves for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the G League last season.
Before entering the NBA, Bailey spent one season in UCLA. With the Bruins, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team while averaging 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 30 games.
"Right now I'd be a senior in college," Bailey told ESPN. "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?"
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