[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2023 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Amari Bailey
Frame: 6’5″, 185 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: UCLA
2023 Draft Age: 19
Stats via sports-reference.com

Offense

Bailey was one of the highest-regarded recruits for the Bruins in recent memory. He showed flashes of two-way productivity in Coach Mick Cronin’s system.

He had a steady hand on the court while shooting 49.5 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from three-point range, and just under 68.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Bailey can facilitate an offense if called upon but excels in the open court and getting to the basket. He is explosive and powerful around the basket, keeping defenders guessing with a developed package of finishing moves. Bailey plays physically, is extremely athletic for his size, and does not shy away from contact.

His shot mechanics are clean, fluid, and repeatable. Percentages can continue to improve at the next level, as they did with the jump from high school to UCLA. Bailey does an excellent job in the mid-range as well.

Bailey causes fits for defense as he can get to the rim and absorb contact to finish or showcase his playmaking ability by finding his teammates slashing or spacing to the corners. Bailey has a high basketball IQ paired with his physical gifts and is genuinely a matchup nightmare in the open court.

He could be one of the most complete players in the class. When Jaylen Clark went down with a season-ending injury, he increased his scoring output and carried the team to the Pac-12 Conference tournament final. He finished with 19 points and seven rebounds and was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team.

While there are still areas of his game to improve, Bailey has a solid physical foundation, a mechanically sound jumper, and athleticism that may be ready to mix it up at the next level immediately. Working on his right-hand finishing will be a helpful area of emphasis as a southpaw.

Defense

Bailey has quick hands and feet. His energy level and motor will show in defensive tenacity. He assumed Clark’s role as defensive stopper for the Bruins, taking the opposing player’s best offensive player. The intangibles he displayed this year are exactly what you want to see in a prospect.

His IQ also allows him to anticipate the movement of the offense, so he disrupts it, generating steals and transition opportunities for his teammates. He will flourish as a perimeter defender with his work ethic and fearlessness.

Buying into Coach Cronin’s system and defensive mentality allowed Bailey to start finding his comfort zone toward the end of the conference season. He plays defense with purpose and conviction while being able to defend the multiple perimeter positions.

Looking Ahead

One of the players turning heads during the NBA Draft Combine, Bailey showed off his ball-handling improvements and adeptness in passing his teammates open and into easy buckets. Though he was a slasher and finisher at UCLA, he was able to showcase more of his game in the open court during the scrimmages and was able to generate positive buzz.

Bailey currently projects as a second-round pick who will have the chance to fight for his spot and keep the positive showing at the combine to drive his momentum toward a role with whichever team drafts him. He has shown the tools, physical frame and mentality to succeed are there.

The next step for Bailey will be finding his role in the NBA, which could be more of an initiator if he can bring his turnovers down and continue to develop his ball handling.

His game combines Monta Ellis and a shorter version of Alex Caruso—defensive ability and shot-making. He’s a team-first type of player that will find a role on any team he ends up with.