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Former UCLA college basketball player Amari Bailey is trying to make history as the first basketball player to play in the NBA and then return to play college basketball.
Bailey, 21, is ready to fight for his NCAA eligibility and join a college team after hiring an agent and lawyer.
“Right now, I would be in my senior year of college,” Bailey told ESPN. “I’m not trying to be 27 and play college athletics. No shade to the guys who do it; that’s their journey. But I went to play professionally and I learned a lot, I went through a lot. So why not me?”
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The Charlotte Hornets guard Amari Bailey (10) during warmups before the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 10, 2024. (Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports)
Bailey spent one season with the Bruins in 2022-23 and averaged 11.2 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30 games. He was named to the 2022-23 Pac-12 All-Freshman Tournament and 2023 All-Pac-12 teams.
He declared for the NBA draft after the season and was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Bailey appeared in 10 games for the Hornets during the 2023–24 season, averaging 2.3 points per game.
Bailey was then fired and spent the last two seasons in the G League. Bailey began seriously considering a return to college basketball in 2025, but mulled a possible return to the NCAA after being drafted in 2023, according to the report.
PGA TOUR STAR JUSTIN THOMAS RIPS THE NCAA FOR THE CURRENT STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS
UCLA Bruins guard Amari Bailey (5) reacts during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California on March 18, 2023. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
Bailey said he left UCLA with “a lot to prove” and made mistakes when he was 18, according to ESPN.
The Alabama men’s basketball team recently added senior Charles Bediako to the roster after he declared for the 2023 NBA draft. Bediako played at Alabama for two seasons and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in his freshman season and the SEC All-Defensive team in his sophomore season.
After two seasons, he entered the NBA draft, forgoing his remaining eligibility. He went undrafted and signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs. The 23-year-old has never played in the NBA but played for their G League affiliate. Over the next two seasons, he played for the G League affiliates of the Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons.
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Charlotte Hornets guard Amari Bailey (10) drives past Philadelphia 76ers guard Furkan Korkmaz (30) during the second half at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 16, 2023. (Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports)
Bediako tried to join Alabama, saying he still had eligibility requirements, but the school turned him down. After being turned down by the school, Bediako sued the NCAA for denying his request, but was granted a temporary restraining order that allows him to play for 10 days.
Bediako has since played in two games for the Crimson Tide, despite strong opposition from coaches.
NCAA President Charlie Baker said in December that any player signing an NBA contract would be ineligible for college.
