Former UCLA guard Amari Bailey is attempting a highly unusual return to college basketball after playing professionally in the NBA and G League. At 21 years old, Bailey has hired legal representation to petition the NCAA for an additional season of eligibility, a move that directly challenges longstanding rules. Bailey played one season with the Bruins before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft, and his request could test how strictly the NCAA enforces its policies regarding former professional players.
Bailey Highlights Professional Growth While Seeking Return to College Basketball Eligibility
Bailey was selected in the second round of the draft by the Charlotte Hornets and appeared in 10 NBA games on a two-way contract, averaging 2.3 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting. Following his stint in Charlotte, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in September 2024 and later joined their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. Most recently, he spent time with the Iowa Wolves, the G League team of the Minnesota Timberwolves, continuing to develop his professional career.
Amari Bailey (NBA)In an interview with ESPN, Bailey explained that he would currently be a senior in college if he had not pursued professional basketball. He stressed that his goal is not to extend a college career unnecessarily but to regain the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level after gaining valuable experience in the professional ranks. Bailey said his time in the NBA and G League helped him grow as a player and a person, and questioned why that experience should permanently prevent a return to college basketball.
NCAA Maintains Strict Rules While Bailey Challenges Eligibility After NBA Experience
The NCAA, however, has been clear about its rules. No player who has appeared in an NBA game has ever been granted college eligibility afterward. Tim Buckley, NCAA senior vice president of external affairs, told ESPN that the organization will not allow players who have signed NBA contracts to return and noted that Congress could reinforce rules preventing such cases.
Bailey’s case follows other recent eligibility challenges, such as Alabama center Charles Bediako, who was permitted to return after spending several years in the G League. Bediako’s key advantage was that he never played in the NBA and remains within the NCAA’s five-year eligibility window. He has already appeared in two games for Alabama this season, contributing immediately to the team.
While Bailey faces a much steeper challenge due to his NBA appearances, his petition highlights growing debates about how the NCAA evaluates player eligibility in an era where professional opportunities often intersect with college careers.
