In a college basketball landscape that’s more fluid than ever, Baylor just made a move that underscores how much the rules of the game-both on and off the court-are evolving.
James Nnaji, a 7-foot center and former No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has officially committed to Baylor and is set to join the Bears for the second half of the 2025-26 season. Yes, you read that right-a former NBA draft pick is heading into college basketball, not out of it.
Nnaji, now 21, never signed an official NBA contract despite being drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2023. His rights were later traded to the Charlotte Hornets and eventually landed with the New York Knicks as part of the three-team deal involving Karl-Anthony Towns.
He even suited up for the Knicks during this year’s NBA Summer League. But because he never inked that first official NBA deal, the NCAA has granted him four full years of college eligibility.
That’s not a typo-four full years.
It’s a stunning development on its face, but it also reflects a broader trend in the sport. Nnaji has been playing professionally in Europe since 2020, gaining valuable experience against grown men long before most college players even step on campus. Now, he brings that physicality and international seasoning to a Baylor program that’s already known for developing bigs with NBA potential.
This isn’t just a novelty move. Baylor is getting a legitimate interior presence-someone who’s been through the grind of European pro ball and has felt the pace and spacing of the NBA Summer League. That’s a rare combination for a college addition, especially one arriving midseason.
And while Nnaji’s situation might be unique in its details, the concept isn’t as outlandish as it once might have seemed. Just look around the college hoops landscape.
USC recently brought in Robert Morris transfer Kam Woods as a midseason addition. And in Lexington, there’s buzz about whether Kentucky might look to make a similar move to shore up its backcourt depth, especially with Jaland Lowe still dealing with a shoulder injury.
These types of midyear roster shakeups are quickly becoming part of the new normal. The transfer portal, international eligibility rules, and the blurred lines between amateur and professional status have created a system where flexibility is king-and where programs that adapt fastest can gain a real edge.
For Baylor, adding Nnaji could be a game-changer. He’s not just a project or a depth piece.
He’s a 7-footer with pro-level experience, a defensive anchor who’s already been tested in high-level environments. And now, he’s stepping into a college setting where he can refine his game, showcase his skillset, and potentially dominate in a way that boosts both his stock and Baylor’s postseason hopes.
It’s a sign of the times in college basketball. The old definitions of eligibility and amateurism are being rewritten in real time.
And as players like James Nnaji find their way into the college game rather than out of it, coaches and programs will have to stay nimble. Because in 2025, the playbook isn’t just changing-it’s being torn up and rewritten on the fly.