The UCLA Bruins have gotten a good one. The third-highest ranked high-school recruit from this year, Amari Bailey, committed to the UCLA Bruins a few weeks ago. It was a massive get for the program, as Bailey chose to stay close to home in California. He has been balling out for Sierra Canyon High School, playing alongside Zaire Wade and Bronny James.
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Bailey was representing Team California alongside Sierra Canyon teammate Chance Westry and other top picks from the 2021 High School Class. They went up against Team Seattle, headlined by Paolo Banchero. Banchero is another top-five prospect and has already committed to the Duke Blue Devils for next season.
😤 Inside to Amari Bailey for the flush!
The @UCLAMBB commit has been active early on pic.twitter.com/jSIPmW9T8D
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 6, 2021
Westry and Bailey showed their chemistry in the lack of a season because of COVID in this game. Westry threw a picture-perfect no-look pass to Bailey, who slammed it home at the rim with authority.
California Basketball Club won the game 87-68 in a blowout. Bailey showed out and everyone got a better look at these prospects that hope to make it into the NBA in a few years.
UCLA Bruins: Was Bailey a good pick?
UCLA Bruins didn’t have to recruit Amari Bailey as heavily as others would have. The college is close to home in one of the most attractive cities in the country, so it was always going to have an edge. Considering Bailey will most likely be a one-and-done player, this was a good choice for his long-term future in the world of basketball.
The Bruins have had a tough season this year. Despite lofty expectations, the team has failed majorly. They are on the outside of this year’s NCAA Tournament looking in. The team is currently on the qualification bubble, but they are also on a two-game skid. They face rivals USC Trojans in their next game in what is a must-win for the team.
Bailey will have a strong core around him that the team has built. The three freshmen on the team this year will be a year wiser and be able to accommodate Bailey into their system. If it doesn’t work out, the Bruins will have to look at how their program is being run.
