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It is common for players to announce that they are heading to the pros from college, rather than the other way around.
But a recent report in basketball has fans baffled, as Nigerian center James Nnaji, the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has committed to play at Baylor.
The 7-foot center will be eligible to play the second half of the Bears’ season, according to On3 Sports, in addition to receiving four years of NCAA eligibility.
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James Nnaji of FC Barcelona in action before a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs match against Olympiacos Piraeus at Palau Blaugrana on April 24, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain. (Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague basketball)
How is this possible for someone who not only declared for the NBA Draft, but was chosen in the first round in 2023?
Well, Nnaji never signed a contract with the NBA. When he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons, Nnaji traded his rights to the Charlotte Hornets. Then, in the three-team Karl-Anthony Towns deal, his rights were moved to the New York Knicks.
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Nnaji never appeared in a regular season NBA game, instead deciding to travel abroad to continue his professional career. He played for FC Barcelona in the Spanish ACB League. They mutually separated in August.
Nnaji then returned to the Knicks to play in the Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in five games.
James Nnaji poses during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 2023-2024 FC Barcelona Media Day on September 20, 2023, in Sant Joan Despi, Spain. (Pau Barrena/Euroleague basketball)
With the Bears hurt in the frontcourt (Maikcol Perez and Justin Bodo Bodo are dealing with injuries), Nnaji will come in and should play significant minutes for Scott Drew’s team at Baylor.
Nnaji was only 18 years old when he was drafted and teams really liked his measurable assets in hopes of developing his talent in the league.
James Nnaji of Barcelona takes a shot during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 34 match against LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne at LDLC Arena on April 12, 2024, in Lyon, France. (Eurasia Sports Images/Getty Images)
“Nnaji’s measurements in terms of size and length are impressive and he is a great jumper who can finish above the rim, although he presents himself as something of a project for the Hornets,” CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone wrote about Nnaji when he was signed in 2023.
Baylor is currently 9-2 to begin the 2025-26 season.
