James Nnaji’s Unconventional Path Back to College Hoops Could Signal a New Era in NCAA-NBA Dynamics
James Nnaji is making headlines-and not just for what he’s doing on the court. The 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft is joining Baylor midway through the 2025-26 college basketball season.
That’s not a sentence anyone expected to write a few years ago, let alone see play out in real time. But here we are, in a post-amateurism world where the traditional lines between college and pro basketball are getting blurrier by the season.
Even UConn head coach Dan Hurley recently called the development “crazy s***,” and he’s not wrong. But while Nnaji’s move feels groundbreaking, it’s not entirely without precedent. To understand how we got here, you’ve got to rewind to the mid-2000s and revisit the curious case of Randolph Morris.
The Randolph Morris Precedent
Back in 2005, Randolph Morris was a five-star center coming off a solid freshman campaign at Kentucky under Tubby Smith. He averaged 8.8 points and 4.2 boards and declared for the NBA Draft, hoping to make the leap before “one-and-done” became a household phrase.
But the draft didn’t go his way. He wasn’t expecting to go top-10 alongside names like Andrew Bogut and Chris Paul, but he certainly didn’t think he’d be passed over entirely-especially not behind players like Cenk Iykol, who went 59th and never played a minute in the league.
Then came the twist: a fax. Yes, a fax.
Tubby Smith reportedly received a message from Morris stating that he hadn’t signed with an agent, which meant he could still be considered an amateur under NCAA rules. After an investigation, the NCAA cleared Morris to return to Kentucky in January 2006-eerily similar to Nnaji’s midseason arrival at Baylor.
Morris went on to play two more seasons in Lexington, averaging 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds as a junior. And because he had already entered the draft, he didn’t have to go through the process again. Just five days after Kentucky’s 2007 tournament exit, he signed a $1.6 million deal with the New York Knicks.
He played four seasons in the NBA-two with the Knicks, two with the Hawks-before heading overseas, where he carved out a successful career in China.
So What Does Nnaji’s Move Mean?
For starters, it challenges the long-held assumption that once a player declares for the NBA Draft, college ball is off the table. But in today’s landscape, where NIL money is flowing and the NCAA treats international pro leagues as near-equals, the door is wide open for players to reverse course.
Nnaji was a classic draft-and-stash candidate. The Spurs selected him in 2023 with the intention of keeping him overseas until he was ready to contribute.
That strategy has worked before-Nikola Jokic, the poster child of draft-and-stash, went 41st overall and stayed in Europe before becoming a two-time MVP and NBA champion. But for every Jokic, there are a dozen players like Cenk Iykol who never sniff the league.
That’s the risk with Nnaji. Yes, he’s a physical presence at 7 feet and 260 pounds-up from where he was as a draft prospect-but his production in Spain’s Liga ACB has been modest: 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Those aren’t exactly the numbers of a future NBA star. So while he might help Baylor, this isn’t a Jokic sequel in the making.
Could the College Game Become a New Stash Spot?
Here’s where things get interesting. For years, NBA teams have used international leagues to develop raw prospects without having to commit a roster spot or salary. But now, with NIL money in play and the NCAA loosening its grip on amateurism, college basketball could become a viable alternative.
Imagine this scenario: An NBA team drafts a player, doesn’t sign him, and he instead joins a Power Five program, gets high-level coaching, and adjusts to the American style of play-all while earning six figures through NIL deals. That’s a win-win for both the player and the franchise.
This could be especially appealing for international prospects who want to acclimate to the speed and physicality of the American game. Take Andrija Jelavic, for example.
His transition hasn’t been seamless, and he’s not alone. College basketball could offer a smoother on-ramp to the NBA than a second-tier European league.
Who Else Could Make the Jump?
While Kentucky fans might dream of seeing a familiar face like Oscar Tshiebwe return, that’s not happening. Eligibility rules still apply, and most former college stars don’t qualify. But there are some lesser-known draft-and-stash players who technically could suit up for a college team.
Here are a few names to keep an eye on:
- Juan Núñez (PG) - 36th pick in 2024, averaging 5.1 points and 3.4 assists in Spain
- Melvin Ajinca (SF) - 51st pick in 2024, posting 7.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in France
- Mojave King (SG) - 47th pick in 2023, putting up 10.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in New Zealand
- Tarik Biberović (SG) - 56th pick in 2023, averaging 8.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in EuroLeague play
None of these guys are household names, but under the new rules, they could technically take their talents to a college campus.
The Bottom Line
Whether you see it as a loophole or a smart evolution of the system, the fact is this: NBA free agents playing college basketball is no longer a fantasy. It’s happening.
James Nnaji is the first high-profile example, but he won’t be the last. The ripple effects could reshape how teams approach the draft, how players map out their careers, and how college basketball programs build their rosters.
It’s a brave new world-and it’s only just beginning.