Former UCLA Star Amari Bailey Seeks Extra Year of College Eligibility After NBA Stint

Bailey, who played 10 games with the Charlotte Hornets, wants to return to college basketball at 21 years old.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Amari Bailey, a former UCLA basketball star who played 10 games in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets, has hired a lawyer to petition the NCAA for an extra year of college eligibility. Bailey, who is now 21 years old, believes he should be able to return to college basketball despite his brief professional experience.

Why it matters

Bailey's case will test the NCAA's rules around eligibility, as several former players have recently sought to return to the collegiate level after spending time in the NBA's G League. The NCAA has historically denied eligibility to any player who has signed an NBA contract, but Bailey's representation argues that since he never appeared in an actual NBA game, he should be allowed to return for a fifth year of eligibility.

The details

Bailey was selected by the Hornets in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft and played 10 games as a rookie on a two-way contract, averaging 2.3 points per game. He later signed with the Brooklyn Nets and spent time with their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, as well as the Iowa Wolves, the G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves. No basketball player has ever returned to college after playing in an NBA game, but Bailey believes his case is unique and that he should be able to return to UCLA for one more season.

  • Bailey was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft.
  • Bailey played 10 games with the Hornets as a rookie in the 2023-24 season.
  • Bailey signed with the Brooklyn Nets in September 2024 and joined their G League affiliate.
  • Bailey most recently spent time with the Iowa Wolves, the G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The players

Amari Bailey

A former UCLA basketball star who played 10 games in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and is now seeking an extra year of college eligibility.

Tim Buckley

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

Charles Bediako

An Alabama basketball player who was recently allowed to return to the Crimson Tide after spending three years in the G League, as he was within the NCAA's five-year window for eligibility.

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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

“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract. Congress can strengthen NCAA rules so professional athletes cannot sue their way back to competing against college students.”

— Tim Buckley, NCAA Senior Vice President of External Affairs

What’s next

Bailey's case will be the latest test of NCAA eligibility as several former players seek a return to the collegiate level. The NCAA will have to decide whether to grant Bailey an extra year of eligibility, which would set a precedent for other players in similar situations.

The takeaway

Amari Bailey's case highlights the ongoing debate around NCAA eligibility rules and whether players who have briefly played professionally should be allowed to return to college basketball. While the NCAA has historically denied such requests, Bailey's unique situation and the recent precedent set by Charles Bediako's return to Alabama could pave the way for a potential exception in his case.