Imagine a world where an NBA player, after tasting the professional game, decides to return to college basketball. Sounds unprecedented, right? Well, that’s exactly what former UCLA Bruin and Charlotte Hornets guard Amari Bailey is attempting to do. According to ESPN, Bailey is fighting for an additional year of NCAA eligibility, a move that could make him the first player in history to return to college after playing in NBA regular-season games. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a fair move, or does it undermine the integrity of college sports? Let’s dive in.
Bailey, a former five-star recruit from Sierra Canyon High School, played just one season at UCLA before being drafted 41st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. During his freshman year, he averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting an impressive 49.5% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. His impact was undeniable, especially during UCLA’s 2022-23 campaign, where he scored double-digit points in five of the last six games, helping the Bruins achieve a 31-6 overall record and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA tournament.
After being drafted, Bailey signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets, making his NBA debut against the New York Knicks in November 2023. He also played in the G-League, averaging 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game with the Greensboro Swarm. However, his shooting from deep struggled, with just an 18.8% three-point percentage. Bailey’s journey took another turn when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in September 2024, only to be waived and later join the Long Island Nets. After averaging 14.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game, he was traded to the Iowa Wolves, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ G-League affiliate.
But why would Bailey want to return to college? In his own words, ‘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?’ Bailey feels he left UCLA with unfinished business and wants to change public perception by proving he can improve and win. And this is the part most people miss: his appeal comes on the heels of other former NBA players, like James Nnaji, successfully returning to NCAA play. Yet, NCAA president Charlie Baker has stated that no player who signed an NBA contract can return to college basketball. However, Charles Bediako, who also signed a two-way contract and played in the G-League, won an injunction allowing him to play for Alabama this season. Is the NCAA’s stance fair, or is it time to rethink the rules?
Bailey’s attorney, Elliot Abrams, who helped North Carolina football player Tez Walker regain eligibility in 2023, argues, ‘You’ve got a college-aged kid who wants to go to college, and you’ve got a system that says, ‘Too bad, you’ve gone to a different league so you’re out forever.’ I don’t see any real justification for it.’ Bailey’s case raises important questions about player agency, the NCAA’s policies, and the evolving landscape of college and professional sports. If successful, Bailey’s return could set a precedent for future players. But should it? Weigh in below—do you think Amari Bailey deserves another shot at college basketball, or is this a line that shouldn’t be crossed?
