UCLA freshman Amari Bailey will enter the 2023 NBA draft, according to a post on his Instagram page Thursday.
Bailey, is a top 50 projected pick and will not be returning to play in college, according to his mother, Johanna Leia. “He is not testing the waters,” Leia said. “He’s full-fledged in declaring for the draft.”
Bailey a 6-foot-4 combo guard made the Pac-12 All-Freshman team after averaging 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 39% from 3. He played his best basketball late in the season, posting 50 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in three NCAA tournament games while shooting 18-for-32 from the field.
“Amari improved immensely this season as a basketball player,” coach Mick Cronin said in a statement. “One area in which Amari most improved was becoming an elite defensive player. His on-the-ball pressure became a huge weapon for our team.”
Bailey joins teammates Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jaylen Clark in declaring for the draft. Campbell and Jaquez are seniors.
“This has been an incredible year,” Bailey wrote in his farewell post on Instagram. “To my brothers, from the UCLA runs to the Sweet 16, I will never forget the moments we’ve shared throughout the year — a brotherhood that will last forever.”
Credit – UCLA MBB
