Baylor Lands Former NBA Draft Pick James Nnaji in Midseason Move That’s Shaking Up College Hoops
As we flip the calendar to a new year, college basketball is already buzzing - and not because of a buzzer-beater or a breakout freshman. Baylor just pulled off one of the most eye-opening midseason roster additions in recent memory, bringing in former NBA Draft pick James Nnaji to join the Bears for the stretch run.
Yes, you read that right. Nnaji, a 2023 second-round pick who spent time in the NBA Summer League with both the Hornets and Knicks, is now eligible to suit up in the Big 12. The 6-foot-11 center was most recently part of the three-team trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York, and now he’s headed to Waco - not for a G League stint, but to play college ball.
This move has sent shockwaves through the sport, and it’s not just fans doing double takes. Some of the biggest names in college coaching have weighed in, and let’s just say the reactions have been... animated.
UConn’s Dan Hurley didn’t mince words, tweeting, “this s*** is crazy!!” and calling for a commissioner to bring some order to the chaos.
Michigan State’s Tom Izzo took it a step further, saying, “shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too.”
Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz, whose Cowboys just rolled to a 103-77 win over Bethune Cookman, offered a more measured take when asked about Nnaji’s eligibility.
“I thought Scott (Drew) answered it well,” Lutz said, referring to Baylor’s head coach. “The tough part is that Scott and some of us others, we sit on these NABC and NCAA ethics committees.
He did what he’s paid to do. His job is to put Baylor in the best position to be successful and go to the NCAA Tournament.
If he can add a big guy at the break and it’s within the rules, and that helps his team get better, he did his job.”
It’s a fair point - and one that echoes what a lot of coaches are saying behind the scenes. Baylor didn’t break any rules.
They saw an opportunity to improve their roster and took it. But the real issue?
Nobody’s quite sure what the rules even are anymore.
That uncertainty stems from the NCAA’s ongoing legal battles, which have chipped away at the traditional structure of amateurism in college sports. When asked if players with NBA experience are eligible to play in college, the NCAA didn’t exactly shut the door.
In a recent statement, the NCAA said:
“Schools are recruiting and seeking eligibility for more individuals with more international, semi-pro and professional experience than ever before... While the NCAA members have updated many rules following the House injunction, more rules must likely be updated to reflect the choices member schools are making.”
The statement also pointed to the broader legal landscape, noting that court rulings across the country have “invalidated” key eligibility rules, creating what the NCAA called “havoc” and reducing opportunities for high school athletes - a big reason why the organization is urging Congress to step in.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a player with pro experience join the college ranks midyear. Oklahoma recently added a Russian player with professional ties overseas.
Oklahoma State’s own Lefteris Mantzoukas played professionally in Greece before arriving in Stillwater. But Nnaji is different.
He’s the first NBA Draft pick to be ruled eligible to play college basketball.
That’s a big deal. It’s not just a footnote - it feels like a turning point.
We’ve seen the transfer portal change the game. NIL has changed the game.
But now, we’re looking at a college basketball world where a player can go through the NBA Draft process, get picked, and still find his way into a college lineup.
It’s uncharted territory, and coaches are feeling the ripple effects. Some are frustrated, others are adapting, and many are simply trying to keep up.
As Lutz put it, “It’s a tough deal... I understand why and what he did.”
So what does this mean for Baylor? For starters, they just added a 6-foot-11, NBA-caliber rim protector to a team that was already in the thick of the Big 12 race. That’s a major boost for a program with postseason aspirations.
But more broadly, Nnaji’s arrival could open the door for more players to take this path - and force the NCAA to finally define where the line is. Because right now, it’s hard to tell where college basketball ends and the professional pipeline begins.
One thing’s for sure: the game is changing fast. And if you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss it.