Baylor Adds EuroLeague Big Man James Nnaji, Confirms Season-Ending Injury for Juslin Bodo Bodo
WACO, Texas - Baylor is making moves in the frontcourt as head coach Scott Drew announced a midseason addition and a tough injury update that will impact the Bears' rotation for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
The headline addition is 7-foot center James Nnaji, who joins the program after four seasons in the EuroLeague. Nnaji, originally from Makurdi, Nigeria, brings serious pro experience to Waco.
He was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, selected by the Detroit Pistons before his rights were traded to the Charlotte Hornets and eventually landed with the New York Knicks. Ranked No. 24 in the ESPN Top 100 at the time of the draft, Nnaji now takes the next step in his development with a Baylor program known for producing NBA-ready bigs.
“James is a really talented young player with a ton of potential,” Drew said. “Any time you bring someone in midseason, it’s a process. But we know James will do everything he can to make it a seamless transition.”
That transition will be key. While Nnaji has the physical tools and professional pedigree, integrating into a high-level college system midyear is never simple.
Timing, chemistry, and conditioning all have to align. But if things click, Baylor could be adding a serious rim protector and interior presence just in time for the heart of Big 12 play.
On the flip side, the Bears will be without one of their most physical and productive rebounders for the rest of the season. Juslin Bodo Bodo, a transfer from High Point, will remain sidelined due to an arm injury he suffered over the summer. It’s a tough blow for a player who had been trending upward and figured to be a key piece in Baylor’s rotation.
“Juslin has worked incredibly hard throughout his rehab and has done everything asked of him to get back on the floor,” Drew said. “Even through this setback, he’s continued to be an unbelievable teammate-bringing energy every day, supporting his brothers, and representing Baylor the right way.”
Bodo Bodo’s absence will be felt, especially on the glass. He was named the 2025 Big South Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season before transferring, averaging 8.4 rebounds per game.
That mark led his team, ranked second in the Big South, and cracked the top 50 nationally. He was a force on the offensive boards and a major reason High Point won 29 games and swept both the regular-season and tournament titles in the Big South last year.
While Baylor loses a proven rebounder and interior defender in Bodo Bodo, the addition of Nnaji could help offset that loss-though it may take time. For now, Drew and his staff will focus on bringing Nnaji up to speed while leaning on the rest of the frontcourt to hold things down.
The Bears, as always, remain a team built on toughness, depth, and development. And with Nnaji now in the fold, there’s another high-ceiling piece in place as they gear up for the grind of conference play.