Former Hornet Amari Bailey seeking NCAA return

Amari Bailey, who was selected 41st overall in the 2023 draft and appeared in 10 games on a two-way contract with the Hornets in 2023-24, is trying to become the first player to return to college after playing in NBA games, reports Dan Murphy of ESPN.com.

Still just 21 years old, Bailey played one season at UCLA prior to being drafted. The 6-foot-3 guard has hired an agent and a lawyer in an attempt to be granted one more season of college eligibility, Murphy writes.

“Right now I’d be a senior in college,” Bailey told ESPN. “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?”

Big man Charles Bediako, who spent a couple of months with the Spurs on a two-way deal but didn’t appear in any NBA games, has sued the NCAA for an additional year of college eligibility. He was recently granted a temporary restraining order, allowing him to participate in activities and games for Alabama while he awaits a hearing on a preliminary injunction regarding his eligibility.

That injunction hearing was delayed earlier this week due to the weather, and Bediako’s temporary restraining order was extended for 10 more days, per Jeff Borzello of ESPN. The NCAA has filed a motion requesting that the judge, an Alabama booster, recuse himself from the case.

“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract,” NCAA senior vice president of external affairs Tim Buckley said when asked about Bailey’s plan to return. “Congress can strengthen NCAA rules so professional athletes cannot sue their way back to competing against college students.”

Bailey spent last season in the G League with the Long Island Nets and the Iowa Wolves, averaging 13.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals on .434/.325/.714 shooting in 25 games (26.2 MPG). He tells Murphy he has been training at his home in California and hopes to land with a school that gives him a chance to make the Final Four in 2026-27.

“It’s not a stunt,” Bailey said. “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.”