Former UCLA star Amari Bailey, who played in 10 games for the Charlotte Hornets, has taken steps to petition the NCAA in hopes of returning to college basketball for another eligible season. Bailey, 21, previously attended UCLA for one season before entering the 2023 NBA Draft and is set to make an official visit to Grand Canyon University on February 11.

Bailey expressed, “I’m not trying to be 27 years old playing college athletics. That’s their journey. But I went to play professionally and learned a lot, so why not me?” He averaged 11.2 points during his freshman year and logged 10 games in the NBA, but now he seeks to redefine his path in college basketball.

Despite his ambitions, the NCAA has strict rules regarding players returning after signing an NBA contract, with no previous player having successfully done so. The path ahead remains uncertain as Bailey aims to reclaim his eligibility amid ongoing discussions about NCAA regulations.