NBA Draft Pick James Nnaji Joins Baylor Midseason in Unprecedented NCAA Move
WACO, Texas — In a move that has left basketball fans and analysts alike scratching their heads, James Nnaji, a Nigerian center selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, has committed to play for Baylor University for the second half of the 2025-26 college basketball season. This development marks an extraordinary reversal of the usual path from college to professional basketball, as Nnaji’s return to the NCAA comes after being drafted but never signing an NBA contract.
Nnaji, standing 7 feet tall, was initially drafted by the Detroit Pistons but quickly saw his rights traded to the Charlotte Hornets and then to the New York Knicks as part of a multi-team deal involving Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite these transactions, Nnaji never appeared in a regular-season NBA game. Instead, he pursued a professional career overseas, playing for FC Barcelona in Spain’s Liga ACB and competing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. After parting ways with Barcelona in August 2025, he participated in the NBA Summer League with the Knicks, averaging modest stats over five games.
What makes Nnaji’s transition to Baylor remarkable is the NCAA’s decision to grant him four years of eligibility, a rare allowance for someone already drafted into the NBA. This unprecedented move is partly explained by the fact that Nnaji never signed an NBA contract, preserving his amateur status under NCAA rules. With Baylor’s frontcourt depleted due to injuries to key players Maikcol Perez and Justin Bodo Bodo, Nnaji’s arrival is expected to provide a significant boost to the Bears’ roster.
Scott Drew, Baylor’s head coach, welcomed Nnaji’s addition, noting the center’s impressive physical attributes and potential. At just 18 years old when drafted, Nnaji was viewed as a developmental prospect with notable size and athleticism. CBS Sports analyst Kyle Boone highlighted Nnaji’s “size and length” and his ability to finish above the rim, though he acknowledged that the player was still a work in progress.
Baylor enters this phase of the season with a strong 9-2 record, and the infusion of Nnaji’s talent could prove pivotal as the team navigates the challenges of the Big 12 Conference. Fans and commentators have taken to social media expressing surprise and curiosity about this rare NCAA eligibility ruling.
For more on NCAA eligibility rules and recent changes, visit the NCAA official site. Details on NBA draft rights and player transactions can be found at the NBA’s official website. Information about Baylor’s basketball program and schedule is available through Baylor Athletics. For insights into international basketball leagues like Liga ACB and the EuroLeague, the EuroLeague Basketball site offers comprehensive coverage.
This unique turn in Nnaji’s career underscores evolving dynamics in basketball pathways, blurring the lines between professional and collegiate play in ways rarely seen before.
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