Amari Bailey Considering Return to College?
Is Amari Bailey contemplating a return to college? His former coach at UCLA seems quite supportive of the idea. Mick Cronin shared his thoughts in an interview with the California Post, stating, “We had a chat, and honestly, I don’t blame him. Perhaps we should just see how it goes.”
Bailey, who played one season at UCLA, mentioned to ESPN that he’s looking to head back for another year, which would be quite the rare move for someone who’s already hit the NBA court. After getting drafted in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, he saw action for the Charlotte Hornets, but that stint on a two-way contract only lasted for 10 games before he was waived over the summer.
To regain eligibility for college, Bailey has brought on an agent and a lawyer. Interestingly, although he’s not turning 22 until February 17, he noted that this would be his final collegiate season had he opted to remain an amateur.
His time at UCLA was marked by notable improvement, particularly towards the end of his freshman year. He established himself as a solid perimeter defender and even made a pivotal three-pointer that almost led the Bruins to victory against Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, only to have the Bulldogs pull off a last-second win.
When I caught a Bruins game against Indiana last weekend, they honored Bailey and other basketball alumni during halftime. It’s hard not to wonder—will he get to put on that jersey again?
Cronin seemed to handle the situation with care, stating, “Right now, I just want to support Amari and all our players with advice.” He reflected on the eligibility issue, suggesting Bailey is still within a reasonable timeframe. Interestingly, he remarked that Bailey probably won’t be the last player contemplating a return to college.
However, Bailey’s potential comeback isn’t welcomed by everyone. Recently, NCAA President Charlie Baker mentioned that players who sign NBA contracts wouldn’t be able to reclaim their eligibility. Notably, Alabama’s Charles Bediako, who was in the G League on a two-way deal, received a restraining order in state court, providing him an opportunity to play for his university.
There’s also a growing debate surrounding the inconsistencies in NCAA eligibility regarding professional athletes both in the U.S. and abroad. For instance, Baylor’s James Nagy was allowed to return to college despite his professional experience in Europe, while Kirill Elatontsev found midseason eligibility at Oklahoma after playing in Russia.
Cronin weighed in again, expressing that if a player isn’t enrolled in college by 20 and a half, they might as well give up on that path. “You can’t just go pro at 21 and come from Europe,” he said, highlighting the disparity in expectations for American students versus international players. He foresaw a wave of European athletes over 20 vying for scholarships this spring, suggesting the landscape is shifting dramatically.
