Former Hornet Seeking Unprecedented Path Back to College Basketball
Former UCLA guard Amari Bailey is challenging the NCAA’s eligibility rules after playing just 10 games for the Charlotte Hornets, attempting to become the first player with NBA regular-season experience to return to college basketball. The 21-year-old has retained legal representation to pursue NCAA eligibility for the 2026-27 season, setting up another legal battle that could reshape college sports recruitment and eligibility standards.
Bailey’s NBA Stint and Return Plans
Bailey, a 2023 Pac-12 All-Freshman selection, left UCLA after one season to enter the 2023 NBA Draft, where the Hornets selected him with the 41st overall pick. After limited playing time in his rookie year, Bailey decided his path forward lay in college basketball rather than professional development. He told ESPN’s Dan Murphy on Friday that he is “really serious about going back” and wants to “improve my game, change the perception of me and just show that I can win.”
The former Bruins standout is training twice daily in Southern California and plans to begin conversations with college programs in the near future. He has not identified a specific school but is seeking an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities as a point guard and leader capable of competing for a national championship.
NCAA’s Firm Position
The NCAA has made its stance unambiguous. NCAA senior vice president of external affairs Tim Buckley stated: “The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract.” NCAA president Charlie Baker added that “Congress must step in” to prevent professional athletes from suing their way back to college rosters.
However, Bailey’s case arrives amid growing cracks in NCAA enforcement. Charles Bediako, an Alabama forward who signed a two-way NBA contract, won a state court injunction allowing him to play for the Crimson Tide this season. James Nnaji, a 2023 draft pick who played professionally in Europe rather than sign with an NBA team, also won NCAA approval to play for Baylor.
Legal Strategy and Arguments
Bailey’s attorney, Elliot Abrams, argues the NCAA’s position lacks justification. “You’ve got a college-aged kid who wants to go to college and you’ve got a system that says too bad, you’ve gone to a different league so you’re out forever,” Abrams told ESPN. “I don’t see any real justification for it.”
Abrams previously helped North Carolina football player Tez Walker restore NCAA eligibility in a pivotal 2023 decision and has worked with numerous athletes navigating college sports eligibility. He contends Bailey’s $565,000 professional contract is modest compared to compensation many college basketball starters receive.
Bailey currently has one year remaining within the NCAA’s five-year eligibility window, which began when he enrolled at UCLA. If the NCAA denies a waiver request from his future school, Bailey’s legal team is prepared to challenge the decision in state or federal court—a path that has already proven successful for Bediako.
A Growing Trend in College Athletics
This case represents the latest test of NCAA authority during an era marked by legal challenges to eligibility rules. Bediako’s success has emboldened other athletes to pursue similar paths, and Bailey’s attempt signals that courts may increasingly be willing to override NCAA regulations. The outcome could fundamentally alter how colleges recruit and compete, particularly if players with professional experience gain the right to return to college rosters.
