GCU hosts Amari Bailey, a former NBA player eyeing unprecedented return to college

Former UCLA Bruins guard Amari Bailey, who appeared in 10 NBA games for the Charlotte Hornets in 2023-24, was hosted on a recruiting visit to Grand Canyon for the Antelopes’ loss to New Mexico on Wednesday.

He is attempting to be the first player to appear in NBA games and return to play in college.

Former NBA guard Amari Bailey is on site here at GCU Arena for his official visit, and is spending some time saying hi to the Havocs at halftime.

We even have Amari Bailey photoshopped into a GCU jersey print outs everywhere!

— Brennan Williams (@GoLopesRadio) February 12, 2026

Amari Bailey is on an official visit to GCU. He’s trying to be the first player to go from playing in 10 nba games and go back to college.

I cannot believe I typed that out. pic.twitter.com/J4eSSFF8jH

— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) February 12, 2026

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported a week prior that Bailey’s attendance was a “first official recruiting visit” with the goal of playing in college next season. Thamel’s sources added that “the school aggressively pitched him on its vision.”

The NCAA told ESPN that it will not grant Bailey eligibility. He would have to go through a legal process and get a court-ordered ruling to become eligible.

The 21-year-old Bailey told ESPN his goal of chasing a return to college is “not a stunt.”

The guard, who started 28 of 30 games as a freshman for UCLA in 2022-23, averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists before leaving for the NBA.

He was a second-round pick (41st overall) by the Hornets. On a two-way contract, he mostly played for the G League’s Greensboro Swarm and also later made stops with the Long Island Nets and Iowa Wolves.

Alabama recently went through a legal process to regain eligibility for forward Charles Bediako, who similarly signed a two-way contract in the NBA before a return to college. He had only appeared in G League games as a pro.

Bediako was cleared to play because of a restraining order. He appeared in five games before an Alabama circuit judge denied Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the 7-foot center’s collegiate eligibility and his season with the Crimson Tide.

The 23-year-old Bediako was averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in five games.

Attorneys for both sides — Bediako and the NCAA — argued their cases Friday. Bediako sued college basketball’s sanctioning body in an effort to regain eligibility despite leaving Alabama for the NBA draft in 2023, signing a two-way NBA contract and playing the last three seasons in the G League.

Bediako spent two seasons (2021-23) at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and helped the Crimson Tide make the NCAA Tournament twice. He wasn’t selected in the 2023 draft, but he played for the Motor City Cruise in the NBA’s G League as recently as mid-January.

His lawyers argued that Bediako remains within his five-year college eligibility window. The NCAA denied Alabama’s initial petition, and NCAA President Charlie Baker and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have made it clear they were opposed to Bediako’s reinstatement.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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