College basketball has quite a conundrum on its hands with eligibility rules, and it's coming to a had rapidly.
The latest player attempting to get reinstated is former UCLA guard Amari Bailey, who was a one-and-done with the Bruins after the 2022-23 college basketball season and played in 10 regular-season games in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets.
"Right now I'd be a senior in college," Bailey told ESPN in a statement. "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?"
While he isn't the first player to do rejoin the NCAA after declaring for the NBA, Bailey is the first to have actual NBA playing experience, to which NCAA senior vice president of external affairs Tim Buckley said in a statement on Jan. 30 that the NCAA will not grant an eligibility waiver "to any players who have signed an NBA contract."
American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti also expressed his frustration on the matter on social media.
"Another unnecessary potential obstacle for an aspiring high school athlete. Hard no," Pernetti said.
Those aren't the only reactions from those within college athletics and college basketball, with some reactions including AI generating photos of NBA players playing in college uniforms like LeBron James, who never attended college, and Nikola Jokic.
College basketball reacts to Amari Bailey college basketball re-instatement request
Here's a snippet of reactions from social media on Bailey's ask to re-enter college basketball:
Come on...If an athlete signs a professional contract, played in professional games, and is paid as a professional. Cut and dried, the eligibility door is closed. Another unnecessary potential obstacle for an aspiring high school athlete. Hard no. https://t.co/UIBeAZxjdN
— Tim Pernetti (@Tim_Pernetti) January 31, 2026
The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract. Congress can strengthen NCAA rules so professional athletes cannot sue their way back to competing against college students. https://t.co/hrSqL7xr8b
— Tim Buckley (@Tim_BuckleyMA) January 30, 2026
College basketball is not a do-over safety net. If you leave it, with a full understanding of the consequences, live with the results of your decision. https://t.co/ROnUgKBA7Z
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 30, 2026
No offense to Amari Bailey, but if you are a head coach and staff, you say “No, thank you.” Don’t waste your energy.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) January 31, 2026
Next up https://t.co/tW7VYizw6rpic.twitter.com/lgBaZPIdOW
— Matthew Travis (@MatthewJTravis_) January 31, 2026
It gets dumber by the day. https://t.co/qMy0ijSTHY
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) January 30, 2026
I’ll say it: shame on any program that recruits Amari Bailey to play for them.
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) January 30, 2026
A draft deadline has existed for DECADES to vet and guard against these kinds of regrettable choices. Amari Bailey wasn't forced to leave UCLA after averaging 11.2 points. Decisions have consequences. Live with them instead of trying to litigate your way back to a lower level. https://t.co/oEfX3ysQ1S
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) January 30, 2026
Embarrassing… https://t.co/5QTmUwwo5Y
— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) January 31, 2026
Speaking from experience here
— Terrence Oglesby (@T_Oglesby22) January 31, 2026
I made a bad decision and left school early to play professionally. Full transparency, my career was rewarding in many ways but not what I hoped for.
I had to live with my decision. It changed my life in a positive way.
I think this is all crazy https://t.co/OZEknb6SgR
"College sports" are officially dead https://t.co/VVYDcRk6wD
— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) January 30, 2026
I don’t care what colleges are recruiting him. Every single coach and college fan needs to be against this.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) January 31, 2026
This is insanity. https://t.co/4BgtefCbXK
https://t.co/sRyiLOQvtUpic.twitter.com/TVk3yyTHeQ
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) January 30, 2026
To me, the moment you step onto the court in an NBA game, you are ineligible to play in college.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 30, 2026
This should be an easy line to draw. https://t.co/JPIdQFscd8
The "no consequences for my actions" era! https://t.co/owCykXBQTG
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) January 30, 2026
One step closer to @KingJames in March Madness inevitably https://t.co/xrkkFS0JRl
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) January 30, 2026
I'm going back to La Salle to play intramural hoops. https://t.co/uUGoZw5Eae
— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) January 30, 2026
This is absurd.
— SEC Numbers Guy (@secnumbersguy) January 31, 2026
How are there no adults in the room to create and clarify rules to keep this from happening?
Time to move on, bro. https://t.co/xYAjQK9dx1
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Don't waste your energy.' Social reactions to Amari Bailey's re-entry request