Amari Bailey Seeks Historic NCAA Return After NBA Stint

Amari Bailey, the former UCLA standout and current NBA free agent, is making waves in the basketball world by attempting something no player has done before: returning to college basketball after playing in NBA games. At just 21 years old, Bailey has already experienced the highs of collegiate stardom and the challenges of professional hoops, but now he’s seeking a groundbreaking return to the NCAA ranks—a move that could set a new precedent for the sport.

Bailey’s journey has been anything but ordinary. After a stellar freshman campaign with UCLA in the 2022-23 season, he averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting an impressive 49.5% from the field and nearly 39% from beyond the arc. His efforts helped propel the Bruins to a Sweet Sixteen appearance, and he earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 team. Yet, even with those accolades, Bailey felt there was unfinished business in college basketball.

"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?" Bailey’s candor reflects both his ambition and his awareness of the unique path he’s carving.

After his lone season at UCLA, Bailey declared for the 2023 NBA Draft and was selected 41st overall by the Charlotte Hornets. He logged 10 NBA games during his rookie campaign, averaging 2.3 points in 6.5 minutes per contest and shooting 33.3% from the floor. His NBA stint was brief, but it was enough to make him the first player in history to try returning to college after actual NBA game experience.

Bailey’s professional journey didn’t end there. In September 2024, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets but was waived a month later. Since then, he’s spent time in the NBA G League, suiting up for the Greensboro Swarm, Long Island Nets, and Iowa Wolves. Despite the grind of the G League and the uncertainty that comes with it, Bailey has kept his focus on personal growth and a potential return to college basketball.

His case is already drawing comparisons to other recent eligibility battles. Charles Bediako, for instance, was granted a temporary restraining order in January 2026 that allowed him to return to Alabama’s roster after playing in the G League, though he never appeared in an NBA game. Bediako’s legal argument centered on the NCAA’s five-year eligibility window, which begins when an athlete first enrolls in college. For Bailey, that window remains open through the 2026-27 season, giving him a glimmer of hope.

Bailey’s attorney, Elliot Abrams, is no stranger to NCAA eligibility disputes. Abrams previously helped North Carolina football player Tez Walker regain eligibility and believes the NCAA has no "real justification" for denying Bailey’s return. "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,’" Abrams told ESPN. "I don’t see any real justification for it."

Yet, the NCAA’s stance remains firm. "The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract," stated Tim Buckley, the association’s senior vice president of external affairs. NCAA president Charlie Baker echoed those sentiments, arguing that lawsuits like Bailey’s and Bediako’s threaten to undermine the integrity of college sports and could take away opportunities from high school athletes. "A judge ordering the NCAA to let a former NBA player take the court Saturday against actual college student-athletes is exactly why Congress must step in and empower college sports to enforce our eligibility rules," Baker said following the Bediako ruling.

Bailey, however, is undeterred by the controversy. He insists his motivation is genuine and not a publicity stunt. "It’s not a stunt. 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," Bailey told ESPN. He’s been training twice a day in Southern California, preparing for the possibility of a return, and plans to reach out to college programs soon. His goal? To find a team capable of competing for a national championship and to prove himself as a leader and point guard at the highest level of college basketball.

Financially, Bailey’s only professional contract was worth $565,000—a sum he points out is on par with what some top college athletes now earn through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. The shifting landscape of college sports, where players can earn significant money while maintaining eligibility, adds another layer of complexity to Bailey’s case. The NCAA’s "actual and necessary expenses" exception, adopted in 2010, was originally intended for international players but has since been tested by American athletes like Bailey and Bediako as the line between amateur and professional blurs.

Bailey’s bid comes at a time when the NCAA is under increasing legal and public pressure to clarify its eligibility rules. The association’s opposition to players who have signed NBA contracts remains steadfast, but recent court decisions and the evolving nature of college athletics suggest that change could be on the horizon. If Bailey’s new team petitions for a waiver and the NCAA denies it, he and Abrams are prepared to take the fight to court, potentially setting a new legal precedent for future athletes in similar situations.

For now, Bailey remains focused on the future. "I feel like I’ve dealt with a lot, and this wouldn’t be anything different," he said, brushing off concerns about criticism or controversy. He’s determined to prove that a brief stint in the NBA shouldn’t disqualify a young athlete from pursuing unfinished business in college. As Bailey prepares to reach out to programs and possibly embark on this unprecedented journey, the basketball world will be watching closely.

Whether the NCAA relents or the courts intervene, Bailey’s story is already sparking debate and could reshape the landscape of college basketball for years to come. One thing’s for sure: Amari Bailey isn’t done making headlines just yet.