Former UCLA Guard Sues NCAA Amid Eligibility Battle

NCAA eligibility may be a saga that never ends. Things began with former overseas professional players such as James Nnaji and Thierry Darlan, who played pro basketball either overseas or in the NBA G League, then returned to college.

Both of these players were far enough removed from graduating high school to have college eligibility remaining. This led to speculation about current NBA players, such as Chicago Bulls small forward Trentyn Flowers, who might be eligible to return to college.

Nonetheless, something like this may just become a reality. The NCAA has stated on record in the past that it will not grant eligibility to NBA players. However, legal battles and technicalities may turn the tide for professional players hoping to go back to college.

Former UCLA Guard Sues NCAA Amid Eligibility Battle

Unfinished Business

Amari Bailey is a one-and-done player for the UCLA Bruins. Averaging 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, he also shot 49.5% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Combined with his standout averages as a freshman, he helped the Bruins reach the Sweet Sixteen and even earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 team. 

Bailey was picked 41st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. Bailey played just 10 games for Charlotte in his rookie year. After his stint with the Hornets, Bailey suited up for several G-League teams, including the Greensboro Swarm, the Long Island Nets, and the Iowa Wolves, where he played last.

The NCAA Battle

Despite not currently being on a G-League or NBA roster, Bailey is actively exploring options to go back to college to use his last year of eligibility. Bailey had this to say in a statement to ESPN.

“Right now I’d be a senior in college. 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 play professionally and learned a lot, went through a lot. So, like, why not me?”

Bailey’s case is similar to another case of an eligibility crisis that has recently rocked the college basketball world. This involves the Alabama Crimson Tide’s starting center, Charles Bediako. The seven-footer is back to playing college basketball, despite previously signing with multiple NBA and G-League teams. Bediako also played multiple Summer League games. He was granted a temporary restraining order in mid-January, allowing him to play for the Crimson Tide.

“It’s not a stunt,” Bailey insisted, “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.”

Bailey’s attorney, Elliot Abrams, doesn’t “see any real justification for it,” referring to the NCAA’s recent actions.

“In what world can a group of colleges get together to prevent a college-aged kid from returning to college simply because he signed a contract with a particular employer? The NCAA preventing Amari from returning would be all the more absurd now that the NCAA welcomes European professional athletes with open arms. In my view, our constitution and laws don’t allow entities to discriminate against American kids — and denying Amari eligibility would be exactly that.”

The NCAA Ruling?