Ex-UCLA guard Amari Bailey attempts unprecedented NCAA return after playing in NBA

Former UCLA Bruins guard Amari Bailey is attempting to make NCAA history.

Bailey is seeking a return to college basketball after appearing in NBA games, a move that would make him the first player to do so, accoring to ESPN's Dan Murphy. 

Bailey played the 2022-23 season at UCLA, averaging 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range. He helped lead the Bruins to a Sweet 16 appearance and earned All-Pac-12 honors before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft.

The Charlotte Hornets selected Bailey No. 41 overall. He appeared in 10 NBA games during his rookie season, averaging 2.3 points in 6.5 minutes per contest.

Former Charlotte Hornets player and UCLA standout Amari Bailey is making plans to return to college. He is the first player who has played in regular season NBA games to push for college eligibility. Details: https://t.co/VRjrBQnt7a

“Right now I’d be a senior in college,” Bailey told ESPN. “I went to go play professionally and learned a lot… so why not me?”

Earlier this month, Charles Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to play again at Alabama Crimson Tide, though Bediako never appeared in an NBA game. Thus why Bailey's case will test the limits for other former NBA player looking to make a move. 

Bailey said his lone professional contract totaled $565,000 and that he plans to contact programs capable of competing for a national championship.

More college basketball news:

• Hubert Davis buyout, contract details as UNC Tar Heels coach
• Why is Bryce James not playing? The reason you won't see LeBron's youngest son
• 'Basketball Saved My Life': Why Master P came home to rebuild New Orleans
• Why FOX blocked St. John’s from participating in a major college basketball event
• John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix It