Amari Bailey ‘serious’ about returning to college after 10 games with Hornets
As former Charlotte Hornets player Amari Bailey is currently out of the leaguethe guard is looking to regain college eligibility and return to that level. As Bailey was with the UCLA basketball team before the Hornets select him in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft, he is looking to return to college.
ESPN’s Dan Murphy reports, Bailey compete to be the first player to find his way to play college basketball after actually being in NBA games, where he was in 10 of his rookie seasons.
“Former UCLA standout Amari Bailey said he is trying to become the first basketball player to return to college after playing in an NBA game,” Murphy wrote. Bailey, 21, has hired an agent and attorney to prepare to fight for NCAA eligibility in hopes of making a college team and playing another season.
“He said he began seriously exploring a return to college in 2025, but wondered if there was a path back to the NCAA from the day he was drafted in 2023,” Murphy continued.
Amari Bailey’s situation could be compared to that of Charles Bediak
The only storyline that has some similarities is that Charles Bediaco is returning to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide, although while he was on a two-way contract with the team and played G League games, he never played in an actual NBA game. This makes Bailey’s case all the more fascinating, saying this is a “serious” pursuit, not a “stunt.”
“I would be a senior in college right now,” Bailey said, via ESPN. “I’m not trying to be 27 years old and play college athletics. There’s no nuance to guys who do that; it’s their path. But I went to play professionally and learned a lot, went through a lot. So, like, why shouldn’t I?”
“It’s not a stunt. I’m serious about coming back. I just want to improve my game, change my perception of myself and just show that I can win,” Bailey continued.
It remains to be seen if Bailey is eligible for the college running back.
2026-01-30 23:21:00
