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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019ve learned a lot in the NBA, so why shouldn’t I have the same chance as everyone else?”<\/p>\n
The NCAA, led by President Charlie Baker, is standing firm: anyone who signs an NBA contract loses their eligibility. But Bailey\u2019s 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:<\/p>\n
James Nnaji: Despite being drafted in 2023, he was allowed to play in Europe and keep a window open for a return.<\/p>\n
Charles Bediako: He returned to Alabama because, although he had signed a contract, he never actually stepped onto an NBA court.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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