The world of college basketball is facing a legal earthquake. Amari Bailey, a former UCLA standout and teammate of Bronny James at Sierra Canyon, has decided he wants to become the first player to return to the NCAA after playing in the NBA.
Selected in the 2023 Draft at just 18 years old, Bailey made 10 appearances for the Charlotte Hornets on a two-way contract. However, after realizing that his immediate professional prospects were limited, the 21-year-old has decided he wants to complete his academic and athletic journey at the university level. He stated: “I would be in my senior year of college. I’ve learned a lot in the NBA, so why shouldn’t I have the same chance as everyone else?”
The NCAA, led by President Charlie Baker, is standing firm: anyone who signs an NBA contract loses their eligibility. But Bailey’s lawyer, Elliot Abrams, is highlighting a disparity in treatment, citing two specific examples and bringing the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) issue into the conversation:
James Nnaji: Despite being drafted in 2023, he was allowed to play in Europe and keep a window open for a return.
Charles Bediako: He returned to Alabama because, although he had signed a contract, he never actually stepped onto an NBA court.
The NIL Factor: Bailey’s two-way contract (approximately $565,000) is not far off from the amounts many top college athletes are now earning legally through sponsorships.
Bailey is proposing a compromise: the ban on returning should only apply to those who signed guaranteed contracts or were first-round picks. For everyone else, the dream of a “Senior Year” shouldn’t be extinguished after just a handful of minutes in the pros.
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