You might flip through NBA sites, scroll social feeds, and still wonder: when did amari bailey get drafted? That guesswork leaves fans stuck. You deserve the exact date, plain and simple.
He made his NBA leap on June 22, 2023. The NBA team grabbed him 41st overall. We trace his path, from college basketball at UCLA, through the NBA Draft Combine, to his spot with charlotte hornets.
We will clear the haze. Keep reading.
Key Takeaways
- The Charlotte Hornets picked Amari Bailey 41st overall in round two on June 22, 2023, as Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announced at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
- Bailey averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 29 games at UCLA under coach Mick Cronin and shot 38% from three.
- At the 2023 NBA Draft Combine he scored 36 points, handed out 14 assists, and shot 58% in drills over two games.
- He signed a two-way contract with Charlotte on July 14, 2023, to split time between the NBA roster and the Greensboro Swarm in the G League.
Amari Bailey’s Draft Selection
An NBA team locked in Bailey as a second-round pick, turning heads on draft night. Scouts leaned on scouting reports and analytics, singling out his shooting range and quick first step.
Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets
Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum took the podium on June 22, 2023, and announced Amari Bailey. The Charlotte Hornets selected him with the 41st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on the second day of the event.
Bailey lit up when his name appeared, like a kid opening a gift under bright lights. Hornets executives high-fived each other, pointing to his quick hands at Sierra Canyon and his one-and-done success as reasons for the pick.
41st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft
Amari Bailey joined the Charlotte Hornets as the 41st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Front office staff logged the draft selection on June 22, 2023 as a key date. He landed in the 2nd round slot and jumped into the pro scene fast.
Fans in Charlotte grew excited for the rookie guard.
Draft date: June 22, 2023
June 22, 2023 marked the 2023 NBA Draft night. Scouts, media, and fans filled Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Charlotte Hornets held the 41st pick, and they chose guard Amari Bailey from Sierra Canyon.
Big screens displayed each player’s highlights and college stats. Agents tapped phones, updating cap figures and Exhibit 10 details. Cheers rose when Hornets called Bailey’s name.
Early Basketball Journey
Amari lit up the Canyon prep, dazzling scouts with slick crossovers and sky-high dunks. They tagged him as a blue-chip guard, and scholarship bids flew in from top college rosters.
High school career highlights
Sierra Canyon courts became his proving ground. Scouts watched his every move.
- Sierra Canyon tandem included Zaire Wade and Bronnie James, a lineup that drew local crowds and tough competition.
- ESPN and MaxPreps tagged Bailey as a five-star prospect, citing his scouting report that praised his footwork and shooting touch.
- Junior year stats showed 18.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, figures that ranked him among California’s top guards.
- Team captured CIF Southern Section titles in 2022 and 2023, where Bailey hit clutch shots, and he said, “We came to win,” after the final buzzer.
- Coaches handed him All-State honors and MVP at the Southern California Regional, a nod to his leadership on and off the court.
Recruitment as a five-star prospect
Amari Bailey lit up Sierra Canyon with smooth drives and deep threes. Scouting services gave him a five star rating after he averaged 17 points, five assists, four rebounds. Coaches hailed his court vision and scoring flair, calling him a versatile offensive weapon with sky high potential.
One scout joked, “He plays with a pro’s mindset.” That comment spread fast.
Recruiting analysts stacked his name near the top of national boards and invited him to elite showcases. He shined alongside Adem Bona, proving he could lead a loaded squad. Mick Cronin flew in, offered him a scholarship to UCLA, and sold him on Pac-12 Conference play.
Scouts marked his move as the start of a big college basketball run.
College Career at UCLA
Bailey thrived under head coach Mick Cronin, and he snagged a spot on the league’s all-freshman team. He shined in the college championship, even after a foot injury, and he left fans curious about his next steps.
Performance during his freshman season
UCLA coach Mick Cronin tapped him as a starter in the Pac-12 conference. His freshman run made him a standout in college basketball. Amari Bailey took the court in 29 games. He averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per night.
Three-point shooting rose to 38 percent from beyond the arc. The conference recognized his effort with a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.
Jaylen Clark’s foot injury late in the season thrust Bailey into a bigger role. Boards fell his way as he took on bigs like Adem Bona and Oscar Tshiebwe. His effort shone in the Pac-12 tournament and NCAA tournament as he stepped up to the plate.
Stat trackers used box score data and shot charts to map his growth. Scouts from the Charlotte Hornets marked his name on their draft list.
Key achievements and statistics
Amari Bailey dazzled scouts at the combine. He showed he can shine in big spots.
- He scored 36 points and handed out 14 assists over two games at the NBA Draft Combine.
- He shot 58 percent in combine drills, ranking near the top of all men’s prospects.
- He sank a clutch jumper with five seconds left on the shot clock, proving he can perform under crunch time.
- He earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, one of seven Bruins honored by the Pac-12 Conference.
- He helped lead UCLA to an NCAA Tournament berth in college basketball under coach Mick Cronin.
Transition to the NBA
He hit the ground running, signing a two-way deal with the NBA outfit, then moving between the main roster and its G League team. He lit up the Summer League with quick hands and sharp court vision, edging closer to a full roster spot.
Signing a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets
Amari Bailey signed a two way contract with the Charlotte Hornets on July 14, 2023. The deal gives him a spot on the NBA roster and game time with the G League team in Greensboro. This setup lets him develop fast under coach Steve Clifford and hit the court in back to back games.
He will practice alongside veterans like Terry Rozier, gaining reps in drills and scrimmages. Fans in Charlotte will watch his speed and shooting skills bloom. This contract allows up to 50 NBA games, a solid start for a 41st draft pick.
Takeaways
His draft day win came during the 2023 NBA Draft. A league official made the call clear. He rose at the evaluation event, the combine. The team saw his scoring and passing flair. Fans now watch his two-way deal with the franchise.
To learn more about the influential figures in Amari Bailey’s life, including his father, click here.
FAQs
1. When did Amari Bailey get drafted?
He heard his name called at the 2023 NBA draft, on June 22, 2023.
2. Where did Amari Bailey play high school ball?
He starred at Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles, he led the team with slick handles and fast drives.
3. What happened in his college basketball season?
Bailey joined the UCLA Wildcats in the Pac-12 conference under coach Mick Cronin. He teamed with Jaylen Clark, Adem Bona, Jaime Jaquez. A foot injury slowed him, but he still made the Pac-12 all-freshman team. The Wildcats made it to the NCAA tournament, it felt like a wild ride.
4. Why did he go one and done?
He showed pro skills in one year. He declared as a one and done player to jump into the NBA faster. He left college basketball early, to chase his big dream.
5. Which team drafted him?
The Charlotte Hornets picked him at 41. Some sources spell it charlote hornets by mistake, but it is the same franchise in teal and purple.
