NBA Player, Former UCLA Star Amari Bailey Reportedly Eyeing College Return

Former NBA player and UCLA basketball standout Amari Bailey, who was selected as a second-round pick by the Charlotte Hornets, is reportedly seeking NCAA eligibility to return to collegiate basketball competition in the United States as of late 2023. This unprecedented move would see Bailey attempt to reverse the traditional path from college to professional basketball, potentially rejoining the UCLA Bruins for the upcoming season. The 20-year-old guard, who declared for the NBA draft after his sophomore year at UCLA, appeared in just 11 games for the Hornets during the 2022-2023 season, averaging minimal playing time. If granted a waiver by the NCAA, Bailey would become one of the few players in recent history to return to college basketball after being drafted and signing a professional contract, a process that typically requires demonstrating exceptional circumstances that prevented the player from properly preparing for the NBA.