Amari Bailey Tests the NCAA as Eligibility Rules Face New Pressure

By Jacob Soro

Former UCLA guard Amari Bailey has become the latest athlete to challenge the NCAA, raising important legal questions about amateurism, professional participation, and the outdated rules of college athletics. Bailey, who appeared in 10 NBA games during his rookie season, is reportedly seeking to return to college basketball and regain NCAA eligibility for an additional year.

Bailey’s situation is unusual but increasingly relevant. After one season at UCLA, he entered the NBA Draft and was selected in the second round. He later signed a two-way NBA contract, earning guaranteed compensation for his appearance in regular-season games. Now a free agent, Bailey has expressed interest in returning to college, arguing that his brief professional stint should not permanently bar him from NCAA competition, particularly since he remains within the standard five-year eligibility window that college athletes are granted.

The legal issue centers on NCAA amateurism and eligibility rules, which have long prohibited athletes from competing in college sports after signing a professional contract. From the NCAA’s perspective, Bailey’s NBA contract clearly qualifies as professional participation, making him ineligible under current bylaws. NCAA officials have reiterated that stance publicly, showing little willingness to grant an exception through internal waiver processes.

From a legal standpoint, however, the case is far from settled. Bailey has retained legal counsel, suggesting he is prepared to challenge the NCAA if eligibility is denied. His argument would likely focus on the changing legal landscape surrounding athlete compensation and labor rights. Courts in recent years have shown increased skepticism toward NCAA rules that broadly restrict athletes' movement or earning opportunities, particularly when those rules are not applied consistently.

Bailey’s case also highlights inconsistency within college sports, which has become a recurring issue for the NCAA. Other athletes have been allowed to return to college after being drafted, provided they never signed a professional contract or appeared in NBA games. In at least one recent case featuring Alabama center Charles Bediako, the court allowed him to regain eligibility after signing multiple two-way contracts and appearing in G-League games, weakening the NCAA’s position that professional participation should always be disqualifying. In 2023, James Nnaji was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round. However, he never signed a contract and went overseas to play. This year, he was granted access to return to college ball at Baylor.  These mixed outcomes give Bailey a potential legal loophole, especially if he can argue that the NCAA’s rule operates as an unreasonable restraint rather than a system of checks and balances.

Ultimately, Bailey’s situation is less about one player and more about what college athletics will look like moving forward. As NIL, transfer freedom, and professional opportunities continue to expand, eligibility rules built for a different era are increasingly vulnerable to legal challenge. Whether Bailey succeeds or not, his case adds to a growing body of disputes forcing the NCAA to confront how much control it can legally maintain over athletes who briefly step into the professional world.