Former UCLA Guard Amari Bailey Seeks NCAA Eligibility to Return to College Basketball

Bailey, who played 10 NBA games, is fighting to regain his college eligibility after a stint in the pros.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Amari Bailey, a former UCLA men's basketball guard, is attempting to return to college basketball after playing 10 games in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets during the 2023-2024 season. Bailey, who would be a senior this year, has hired an agent and an attorney to represent him in his case, in which he is looking for the NCAA to grant him the right to play one more season.

Why it matters

Bailey's request comes at a time when the NCAA is currently in court fighting against the temporary restraining order that former Alabama and G-League forward Charles Bediako received to return to play for the Crimson Tide. The NCAA has stated that it 'has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract', raising questions about the organization's stance on players seeking to return to college basketball after professional experience.

The details

Bailey, a 6-foot-3 guard, declared for the NBA draft after the 2022-2023 season, where he averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists for UCLA. He was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 41st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but played in just 10 games that season. Bailey spent most of the 2023-24 NBA season with the Hornets' G-League affiliate, Greensboro Swarm, before spending the entire 2024-25 season with the Long Island Nets, the G-League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets.

  • Bailey declared for the NBA draft after the 2022-2023 season.
  • Bailey was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 41st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
  • Bailey played in 10 games with the Hornets during the 2023-2024 NBA season.

The players

Amari Bailey

A former UCLA men's basketball guard who is attempting to return to college basketball after playing 10 games in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets.

Charles Bediako

A former Alabama and G-League forward who received a temporary restraining order from a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge to return to play for the Crimson Tide.

Tim Buckley

The NCAA senior vice president of external affairs who stated that the NCAA 'has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract'.

Charlie Baker

The NCAA president who stated that the NCAA 'has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an @NBA contract (including a two-way contract)'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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?”

— Amari Bailey

“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.”

— Amari Bailey

“@NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an @NBA contract (including a two-way contract). ... Rules have long permitted schools to enroll and play individuals with no prior collegiate experience midyear. While the NCAA has prevailed on the vast majority of eligibility-related lawsuits, recent outlier decisions enjoining the NCAA on a nationwide basis from enforcing rules that have been on the books for decades -- without even having a trial -- are wildly destabilizing. I will be working with DI leaders in the weeks ahead to protect college basketball from these misguided attempts to destroy this American institution.”

— Charlie Baker, NCAA President

“The NCAA 'has and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract'.”

— Tim Buckley, NCAA Senior Vice President of External Affairs

What’s next

The NCAA is expected to make a decision on Amari Bailey's eligibility case in the coming weeks, as the organization works to 'protect college basketball from these misguided attempts to destroy this American institution'.

The takeaway

Amari Bailey's case highlights the ongoing debate around the NCAA's stance on player eligibility, particularly for those who have already played professionally. As the NCAA continues to fight against court rulings that have allowed some players to return to college basketball, Bailey's request could set a precedent for future cases and further test the organization's commitment to its long-standing rules.