Former UCLA guard Amari Bailey is pushing to become the first basketball player to return to college after appearing in NBA regular-season games, hiring an agent and attorney to challenge NCAA eligibility rules.
Bailey, 21, played 10 games for the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023-24 season after being selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft. He averaged 2.3 points in limited minutes before spending time in the G League and being waived by the Brooklyn Nets in 2024. Now, Bailey aims to regain eligibility for one more college season, potentially through a waiver or lawsuit against the NCAA.
“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?”
Bailey’s freshman season at UCLA in 2022-23 saw him average 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists, helping the Bruins reach the Sweet 16. During his high school years at Sierra Canyon, Bailey drew extra media attention when his mother, Johanna Leia, briefly dated rapper Drake in 2021. The pair met through high school basketball circuits, with Drake mentoring Bailey on handling fame, finances and pressure. Their relationship became public after Drake rented out Dodger Stadium for a private dinner date with Leia, though they split later that year. His attempt comes amid evolving NCAA rules on name, image and likeness deals, but the organization has historically barred players with professional experience from returning. College leaders have expressed skepticism, with one calling it a “hard no.”
The news, first reported by ESPN on Friday, ignited debate on social media, with users on X, formerly Twitter, sharing a mix of shock, criticism and memes.
User @ThoughtsNGibber replied to an On3 NIL post with a meme suggesting Bailey’s next jersey should read “I Suck at Pro Ball,” garnering over 389 likes. Similarly, @0toHerr0 posted a leaked jersey image mocking Bailey’s return, earning more than 407 likes in response to ESPN’s announcement.
Sports analyst Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) weighed in: “I don’t get why people are saying Amari Bailey should just give up and accept that his pro career hasn’t worked out. I think the idea of letting him play in college is ludicrous, but I wouldn’t begrudge him for trying,” receiving 64 likes.
Critics were vocal. User @theaveragevoter posted, “I’m all for player empowerment, but Amari Bailey has already his college basketball opportunity. Every coaching staff should be saying, ‘no thank you.’ There will be no revenue stream path for you here, grow up and move on,” with views exceeding 200. Another user, @IplayrealFotbal, quipped, “He sucks in NBA now thinking he can go back and make more in NCAA,” amassing 65 views.
Some expressed concern over precedent. “This has gone too far! College hoops as we know it is destroyed,” wrote @MrAdikted2Suces, linking to the ESPN story.
Bailey has not specified a preferred school but plans to workout and engage with programs. The NCAA has not commented on his case.
You also might want to flip the pages to see the thirst traps of Johanna Leia.
