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UCLA Basketball: Watch Just-Drafted Bruin Show Off Elite Athleticism In Summer League

Amari Bailey showed off his hops in Vegas!

Matt Wagner

UCLA Basketball: Watch Just-Drafted Bruin Show Off Elite Athleticism In Summer League
UCLA Basketball: Watch Just-Drafted Bruin Show Off Elite Athleticism In Summer League /

The 2023 NBA Draft just took place about two weeks ago, and the UCLA Bruins had quite the day.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the way for the Bruins as he went No. 18 overall to the Miami Heat. Following him were guards Amari Bailey and Jaylen Clark, who went No. 41 to the Charlotte Hornets and No. 53 to the Minnesota Timberwolves respectively.

The initiation into the NBA is quick for draftees as they take part in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

During summer league, they play against fellow recent draft picks and other prospects trying to break into the NBA, whether they play in the NBA G League or in international leagues.

Amari Bailey's put on quite the show in Vegas show far, and he showed off the athleticism that was part of what made him one of the best prospects in the nation before he committed to the Bruins.

He rose up for this dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers summer league team:

It's clear that if teams give him an opportunity in transition, they'll pay the consequences.

Bailey came to UCLA as the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation, bringing all the hype that comes with that.

He built on his reputation as a solid shooter and defender with great athleticism over his one year at UCLA, and he made quite the impression when he was inserted into the starting lineup in the Bruins' game against Oregon State last season.

Bailey went off for a then-career high 24 points on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting against the Beavers and wound up putting himself on the NBA's radar as he started for UCLA throughout their run to the Elite Eight.

He parlayed that into his NBA chance as the Hornets' second-round pick and he should have a great career for himself, especially if he continues to develop as he showed over the second half of last year.

And those hops are just one of his skills that Hornets fans can look forward too with Bailey.

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Matt Wagner
MATT WAGNER

Matt Wagner was born and raised in southern California, and he lived there before moving to Colorado and getting his B.A. in Communications from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2022. He relocated back to southern California in 2023 and is looking forward to covering the teams that mean so much to his home area. Some of his past work is in Bleacher Report, Dodgers Tailgate, and, most recently, Colorado Buffaloes Wire. Aside from writing, you can probably catch him petting the nearest dog or eating some good Mexican food.