Baylor just got a major midseason boost - and it comes in the form of a seven-foot center with EuroLeague experience.
James Nnaji, the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is officially joining the Baylor Bears. The news comes shortly after head coach Scott Drew announced that forward Juslin Bodo Bodo will miss the rest of the season due to an arm injury. With Bodo Bodo sidelined, Baylor’s frontcourt gets an immediate injection of size, skill, and professional seasoning.
Let’s break this down: Nnaji isn’t your typical midseason addition. He’s a 19-year-old Nigerian native who’s already logged four seasons of high-level basketball in Europe.
Most recently, he played for Girona in Spain during the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Those numbers might not leap off the page, but context matters - this is a teenager holding his own against grown men in one of the top leagues outside the NBA.
That’s no small feat.
And now, he’s headed to Waco.
“James is a really talented young player with a ton of potential, and we’re excited to welcome him to the Baylor Family,” Drew said. “Any time you add someone to the roster midseason, it’s going to be a process to get them acclimated and up to speed, but we know James will do everything he can to make it a seamless transition.”
Drew’s not wrong - integrating a new player in the middle of the season is never easy. There’s conditioning, playbook familiarity, chemistry with teammates, and the rhythm of the college game to consider.
But when you’ve got a player with Nnaji’s physical tools and professional background, the upside is obvious. Baylor isn’t just plugging a hole left by injury; they’re adding a high-ceiling prospect who’s already been tested in the fire of international competition.
This move also comes at a time when college basketball is undergoing a bit of a recruiting identity shift. With the transfer portal constantly churning and eligibility rules more flexible than ever, some coaches have voiced concern about the direction things are heading. The idea of bringing in a pro-experienced international player midseason might’ve seemed radical a few years ago - now, it’s just part of the new normal.
As more programs look to bolster their rosters for the spring semester, all eyes will be on how quickly Nnaji can adjust to the college game. If he finds his footing quickly, Baylor could have a serious X-factor on their hands as they push deeper into the season.
Bottom line: Nnaji’s arrival isn’t just a roster move - it’s a potential game-changer.