Amari Bailey, a player of the NBA and a former star at UCLA, has taken steps to return to college basketball. He has engaged an agent and a lawyer to assist him in obtaining the required eligibility, as reported by ESPN.

“Right now, I’d be a senior in college,” Bailey explained about his pursuit of NCAA eligibility. “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? … It’s not a stunt. 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.”

Tim Buckley, the NCAA’s senior vice president of external affairs, stated, “the NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract.”

Bailey was drafted in the second round by the Charlotte Hornets during the 2023 NBA Draft after playing ten games in his rookie year. He has also played for G League teams associated with the Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

During his time at UCLA, Bailey recorded an average of 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 49.5% from the field, 38.9% from three-point range, and 69.8% from the free-throw line.

If Bailey successfully returns, he will follow a trend of former collegiate players, such as James Nnaji and Charles Bediako, who have ventured into professional play and then reverted back to college athletics.