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Players usually announce that they are heading from college to the pros, not the other way around.
But a recent basketball report has left fans confused following Nigerian center James Nnaji, the 31st overall pick in the 2023 draft. NBA Draftcommitted to play at Baylor.
The 7-foot center said he will be able to play the second half of the Bears' season. On3 Sportsand will be granted four years of NCAA eligibility.
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James Nnaji of FC Barcelona prior to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague playoff match against Olympiacos Piraeus at Palau Blaugrana Stadium on April 24, 2024 in Barcelona, ​​Spain. (Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball)
How is this possible for someone who not only declared for the NBA Draft, but was also a first-round pick in 2023?
Well, Nnaji never signed an NBA contract. When Nnaji was drafted by the Detroit Pistons, his rights were assigned to the Detroit Pistons. Charlotte Hornets. Karl-Anthony Towns' rights were then transferred to the New York Knicks in a three-team deal.
Nnaji never played in an NBA regular season game and decided to go abroad to continue his professional career. He played for Barcelona in the ACB League in Spain. In August, their paths diverged.
Nnaji then returned to the Knicks to play in the Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds over five games.
James Nnaji poses during the 2023-2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Media Day. FC Barcelona on September 20, 2023 in Sant Joan Despi, Spain. (Pau Barrena/Euroleague Basketball)
With the Bears weak in the front court (Maikkol Perez and Justin Bodo Bodo are both dealing with injuries), Nnaji will step up and should play important minutes for Scott Drew's team at Baylor.
Nnaji was just 18 years old when he was drafted, and teams liked his measurables and hoped to develop his talent in the league.
James Nnaji of Barcelona takes a shot during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season round 34 match against Asvel Villeurbanne's LDLC at the LDLC Arena on April 12, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Eurasia Sports Images/Getty Images)
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“Nnaji's measurables in terms of his size and length are impressive, and he's a big jumper who can finish above the rim, although he does represent something of a project for the Hornets,” CBS Sports' Kyle Boone. wrote about Nnaji when he was taken away in 2023.
Baylor is 9-2 entering the 2025-26 season.
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