Former NBA player and ex-UCLA star eyes return to college basketball amid NCAA scrutiny: 'Why not me?'

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

Former UCLA college basketball player Amari Bailey is trying to make history as the first player to play in the NBA and return to play college basketball.

Bailey, 21, is prepared to fight for his NCAA eligibility and join a college team after hiring an agent and a lawyer.

"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?"

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Charlotte Hornets guard Amari Bailey during warmups before the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Feb. 10, 2024. (Jim Dedmon/USA Today Sports)

Bailey spent one season with the Bruins in 2022-23, and averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30 games. He was named to the 2022-23 Pac-12 All-Freshman and the 2023 All-Pac-12 Tournament teams.

He declared for the NBA Draft after the season and was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Bailey appeared in 10 games for the Hornets in the 2023-24 season, averaging 2.3 points per game.

Bailey was then cut and spent the last two seasons in the G League. Bailey started to consider a return to college basketball in 2025 but has pondered a possible return to the NCAA after he was drafted in 2023, according to the report.

PGA TOUR STAR JUSTIN THOMAS RIPS NCAA FOR CURRENT STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS

UCLA Bruins guard Amari Bailey reacts during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Golden 1 Center in