Amari Bailey, Hornets
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Former Hornets draft pick, Amari Bailey is planning to make a return to college basketball.
Another professional basketball player is looking to make a return to college. Former Charlotte Hornets draft pick Amari Bailey has expressed that he would like to go back and play college basketball even after playing in NBA games.
The Hornets selected Bailey in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Before he was drafted, he played college basketball at UCLA. Bailey hired a lawyer and an agent to prepare to fight for NCAA eligibility.
“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?”
There has been a lot of discussion regarding professional athletes making a return to college basketball. Bailey could potentially be the next player to make that return.
Amari Bailey Has NBA Experience
In December, NCAA president Charlie Baker said they would not grant any eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract. But, one player who signed an NBA contract was granted eligibility to play college basketball. Current Alabama forward Charles Bediako played in the G League on a two-way contract and won an injunction allowing him to play with Alabama’s basketball team.
Unlike Bediako, Bailey did play in multiple NBA games. During the 2023-24 season, he appeared in 10 games with the Hornets and averaged 2.3 points. That season was the only time he played in NBA games.
“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract,” NCAA senior vice president of external affairs Tim Buckley said regarding Bailey’s plan to return to college basketball. “Congress can strengthen NCAA rules so professional athletes cannot sue their way back to competing against college students.”
If there is a college team that wants Bailey to join them, they would have to petition the NCAA for a waiver to allow him to play. The NCAA could choose to deny or accept the waiver and if they deny it, Bailey and his attorney could file a lawsuit in state or federal court to challenge the decision.
Amari Bailey’s College Basketball Experience
Bailey played one season at UCLA and averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He was a top recruit out of high school and played in the McDonald’s All-American Game. Bailey was also named California Mr. Basketball while prepping at Sierra Canyon High School.
He made it very clear that his intentions are to go back to college and work on his game.”It’s not a stunt,” Bailey said. “I’m really serious about going back. I just want to improve my game, change the perception of me and just show that I can win.” For the last few years, Bailey has spent time playing in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm, Long Island Nets, and Iowa Wolves.
This is starting to become a common thing, with professional basketball players wanting to return to college. Bailey will wait and see how things play out and if he can return to the NCAA.