Tom Izzo doesn’t usually mince words, but even by his standards, his reaction to James Nnaji enrolling at Baylor was something else.
The Michigan State legend was asked about Baylor’s surprise midseason addition - a 7-footer who was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft - and he didn’t hold back. “I’m a little surprised,” Izzo said.
“I’ve got a call in to Scott [Drew]. I’m anxious to see what he tells me.
If we’re dipping into guys who were drafted to the NBA… shame on the NCAA. And shame on the coaches, too.”
That’s not a vague comment. That’s a Hall of Fame coach firing a direct shot at Baylor head coach Scott Drew and the broader system that allowed this to happen. And if you’re wondering how a player who was drafted into the NBA is suddenly eligible to suit up in the Big 12, you’re not alone.
Let’s break it down.
James Nnaji: From NBA Draft to Waco
James Nnaji is no mystery prospect. He was taken 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, with his rights eventually landing with the New York Knicks after a couple of trades - first to the Hornets, then to New York in 2024. He never signed an NBA contract, though, which is a crucial detail in this whole saga.
Instead of heading stateside, Nnaji continued playing overseas. Most recently, he was on loan with Yukatel Merkezefendi in Turkey from FC Barcelona, a powerhouse in European basketball.
He averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds there - solid numbers for a young big man adjusting to pro ball. He also played for the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Summer League, giving scouts another look at his development.
Physically, Nnaji has transformed since his draft night. Originally listed at 6-foot-11 and 226 pounds, he’s now 7 feet tall, 251 pounds, with a reported 7-foot-7 wingspan. In other words, he’s a walking matchup nightmare - and he’s now eligible to play college basketball.
The Eligibility Loophole
So how is this even possible?
It comes down to one key fact: Nnaji never signed an NBA contract. That technicality, combined with the current state of NCAA regulations (or lack thereof), opened the door for a return to amateur status - at least on paper. The NCAA cleared him, and now he’s officially on Baylor’s roster, ready to contribute in the heart of Big 12 play.
This isn’t a case of a player testing the waters and coming back to school. Nnaji was drafted, traded, and played professionally in Europe.
Yet here we are. And while Izzo is clearly frustrated, this isn’t just about Scott Drew or Baylor.
This is about the system - or the absence of one.
A Bigger Problem for College Hoops
Izzo’s frustration is understandable. He’s been around long enough to see college basketball shift from a rigid amateur model to a wide-open, NIL-fueled landscape where eligibility rules feel more like guidelines. And right now, those guidelines are being stretched to their absolute limits.
This isn’t about one coach gaming the system. It’s about a system that’s broken - or at least unprepared for the reality it now faces.
NIL deals, international transfers, and draft loopholes have created a new era of roster building, and the NCAA hasn’t kept pace. As long as the paperwork checks out, there’s not much stopping a team from bringing in a player like Nnaji midseason.
And let’s be real: if you’re a high-major coach trying to win in March, you’re watching this move very closely. Baylor just added a 7-foot NBA-caliber center with pro experience for the second half of the season. That’s a game-changer.
What It Means for Baylor
Baylor didn’t break the rules - they just played the game better than most. They found a loophole, and they used it to add a rim-running, shot-blocking, physically dominant big man to a team already built to contend. Nnaji’s presence gives them a serious interior anchor and a matchup advantage that few teams in the country can replicate.
Whether or not you agree with the move, it’s hard to argue with the impact. And for programs looking to keep up, the message is clear: adapt, or get left behind.
Izzo might call it shameful. But in today’s college basketball world, it’s just business. And right now, Baylor’s business is booming.