Amari Bailey, who was selected 41st overall in the 2023 draft and appeared in 10 games on a two-way contract with the Hornets in 2023/24, is trying to become the first player to return to college after playing in NBA games, reports Dan Murphy of ESPN.com.
Still just 21 years old, Bailey played one season at UCLA prior to being drafted. The 6’3″ guard has hired an agent and a lawyer in an attempt to be granted one more season of college eligibility, Murphy writes.
“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?”
Big man Charles Bediako, who spent a couple months with the Spurs on a two-way deal but didn’t appear in any NBA games, has sued the NCAA for an additional year of college eligibility. He was recently granted a temporary restraining order, allowing him to participate in activities and games for Alabama while he awaits a hearing on a preliminary injunction regarding his eligibility.
That injunction hearing was delayed earlier this week due to weather, and Bediako’s temporary restraining order was extended for 10 more days, per Jeff Borzelo of ESPN. The judge, an Alabama booster, has recused himself from the case after the NCAA filed a motion asking him to do so, according to Matt Stahl of AL.com.
“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract,” NCAA senior vice president of external affairs Tim Buckley said when asked about Bailey’s plan to return. “Congress can strengthen NCAA rules so professional athletes cannot sue their way back to competing against college students.”
Bailey spent last season in the G League with the Long Island Nets and the Iowa Wolves, averaging 13.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 steal on .434/.325/.714 shooting in 25 games (26.2 MPG). He tells Murphy he has been training at his home in California and hopes to land with a school that gives him a chance to make the Final Four in 2026/27.
“It’s not a stunt,” Bailey said. “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.”
Judge already recused himself
Good catch, thanks. Updated the story.
You’re not a NBA player buddy. You left school early. Should have stayed and grew your game. If he can go back. Might as well call college professional now
Been professional for decades but is even more so now
Go play in Europe or somewhere else…dumba**
Look at old Fred here thinking he’s tough calling an NBA player a “dumba**”
Amari Bailey is richer and better than you’ll ever be, Freddy Ziffel, you punk
Why should he have to leave the greatest country on earth if a university and their boosters are willing to pay him to stay? College is just minor leagues for professional basketball and football. You mad because he is not getting his token communications degree?
NCAA as a governing body of college athletics is finished. The money made off the sweat of (student) athletes back is finally being reappropriated to those who deserve it.
The NCAA has plenty to say on this topic but not a word about the predictable disaster gambling has become in the sport. Funny how that works.
I think it makes a lot of sense to be able to go back to college if you’ve played lower level ball for a year or two. The rule has been applied in baseball before (there are two guys on 40-man rosters who have used it to my knowledge), and IIRC there was a similar case in basketball as well. But playing top-level competition and then going back to college? Respectfully, you gotta make that decision earlier, man.
“It’s not a stunt,” Bailey said. “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.”
Against players who haven’t played actual professional basketball (the line between college b-ball and nba has become far more blurred recently). I get that there is an avenue/loophole/whatever you want to call it, that allows for these things to potentially happen, but it does seem messed up to me to allow players that get some professional level of experience to then go back to the collegiate level against players who do not have that level of experience.
Sometimes I think NBA could skip a full year of the draft and wouldn’t run out of players for the teams. Just let veteran players stick around longer and pull some out of retirement or back from overseas in place of the draft every two or three years and also restrict who can be drafted like at-least two full years of NCAA basketball before can be drafted and no loop holes like playing overseas after no college. Make exception for the really exceptional high school graduate or 1st year college player to enter draft.
Guys like Haslem and PJ Tucker were stealing checks for years. Vets are important but when they are clearly not playable they can be moved to the staff.
There are a lot of guys that can play basketball but not a lot of NBA difference makers. Huge difference from gleague and NBA, basketball players have a ton of options with overseas leagues and now the NBA wants a Europe league so it’s not like guys not in NBA won’t have options.
His mama can return…but not him.
Go back to school and a be student then. Maybe the NBA isn’t for you?