Amari Bailey, a young elite high schooler, has committed to UCLA basketball for the second time, he announced Wednesday night.
Bailey originally committed to the Bruins and then-coach Steve Alford as a first-year high school student, but broke up eight months later. Bailey also got engaged to DePaul before starting eighth grade, but broke up before entering high school.
Bailey, a 6-foot-4, 4-foot guard from Sierra Canyon High School, California, ranks No. 3 in ESPN 60 for the 2022 class.
“He’s a pure combination goalie who has a high-end effortless scoring ability with the ball in or out of the ball,” said Paul Biancardi, ESPN’s national recruiting director. “His jump shows balance and accuracy from various points on the ground. I like his self-confidence to make disputed disputes when necessary. His driving game and his painting end with athleticism and control. body explosives. As a game creator, he is equally adept at creating himself or facilitating others. In transition or halfway, he demonstrates an exceptional passing vision. “
The No. 1 shooting guard in the 2022 class, Bailey helped bring American basketball to a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA America U16 Championship in Brazil. He started all six games in that event, averaging 13.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
“He’s a smart ball manipulator who changes his speeds and direction on purpose when navigating a defense,” Biancardi said. “He’s a bit underestimated as a versatile defender on the back court who will bounce back and start the break fast. He has a presence on the court and some offensive instincts that remind me of D’Angelo Russell.”
Bailey is Coach Mick Cronin’s first engagement in the 2022 class, but he is also a candidate to reclassify her to the 2021. If he goes up and enrolls at UCLA, Bailey would join a class that includes the small five-star striker Peyton Watson and ESPN 100 bodyguard Will McClendon.
The Bruins 2021 class ranks 7th in the country; if Bailey reclassifies, he would move to the top five national places.