Part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, James Nnaji hasn't played an NBA regular-season game yet and will play for Baylor this season.
Baylor basketball is reportedly getting a mid-season addition — and he is a former NBA draft pick.
In a sign of the times, the Bears received a commitment from James Nnaji, a 7-foot center from Nigeria who was selected in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 21-year-old will be eligible to play immediately for Scott Drew and will have four years of eligibility remaining, according to several reports. Baylor is 9-2 this season.
USA TODAY Sports has reached out to Baylor to confirm Nnaji's commitment and eligibility status.
He was the 31st overall pick — first in the second round — in the 2023 draft by the Detroit Pistons, who was then traded him to the Charlotte Hornets. In September 2024, his rights were traded to the New York Knicks as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks.
Welcome, James Nnaji! pic.twitter.com/QZI6qMN2uL
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 2, 2024
Despite getting drafted, Nnaji never played in an NBA regular-season game, only playing for the Hornets in the 2023 Summer Classic and the Knicks' 2025 Summer League team. For New York, he averaged 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in five games. He has been playing professionally in Spain for FC Barcelona. He and the team parted ways in August.
It's certainly unusual to see an NBA draft pick play college basketball, but it's the latest sign of the line of amateurism being blurred. With name, image and likeness running wild in college sports, the NCAA has changed eligibility guidelines to where athletes who have played professionally have been able to play collegiately.
It's typically been done with international players, but it's leaked to those who have played in the NBA G League, which has drawn the ire of coaches across the country.
Reactions to James Nnaji joining Baylor
As news of Nnaji's commitment to Baylor spread on Dec. 24, it drew some pretty strong responses as people feel it's ridiculous for a former NBA draft pick to join a college basketball team in the middle of the season.
Notable reactions include Connecticut coach Dan Hurley, who had a slight NSFW response. It's also left some people confused as to what happens if Nnaji wants to play professionally, if he can get drafted again or would he still have his professional rights owned by the Knicks.
Santa Claus is delivering mid season acquisitions…this s*** is crazy!! 🤪
— Dan Hurley (@dhurley15) December 24, 2025
A 23-year-old that was drafted into the NBA (!!!) in 2023 is going to suit up for Baylor and play this season.
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) December 24, 2025
James Nnaji being eligible to play college basketball is simply a joke.
The NCAA is slowly ruining college athletics with how little control they have over these types…
This James Nnaji thing is wild.
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) December 24, 2025
On one hand, we talk about wanting to allow players to go back to school if they fall in the draft/go undrafted & this helps for that. He also never played in an NBA game, which matters.
On the other, NBA teams had his rights!
James Nnaji had an NBA rookie card and is now going to be playing in March Madness (most likely) pic.twitter.com/qcfQlbKnyS
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) December 24, 2025
James Nnaji was literally involved in maybe the biggest NBA trade this decade. Now he’s going to be playing College Basketball
— Jacob Rhymer (@Rhymetime05) December 24, 2025
What are we doing man pic.twitter.com/goAHANxOKi
James Nnaji heard his name called on draft night in 2023 and will be playing College Basketball this 2026 season.
— Jacob Rhymer (@Rhymetime05) December 24, 2025
Seeing this clip and knowing he’ll be suiting up for Baylor in January is truly wild stuff. pic.twitter.com/DLgSqH27ip
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft pick, commits to Baylor, will play this season
Category: General Sports
