Nigerian Prodigy James Nnaji to Play College Ball at Baylor After NBA Draft!

Nigerian basketball player James Nnaji, who was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2024 and then traded to the New York Knicks, will be playing college basketball for the Baylor Bears. This comes as a surprise considering Nnaji has already been drafted and even guarded Victor Wembanyama in the NBA Summer League. However, because Nnaji never played in an official NBA game, he is technically eligible to play college basketball according to current NCAA rules. This situation is prompting debate about the eligibility criteria for former professional players in college sports.

Nnaji's journey to Baylor is unusual. He was a raw 6-foot-11 teenager from Nigeria who drew comparisons to NBA players like Clint Capela and Mitchell Robinson. After being drafted, he gained experience playing overseas and in the NBA Summer League. The NCAA's loosening of eligibility rules has created a pathway for players like Nnaji and Thierry Darlan, who played in the G League, to pursue college basketball careers.

The arrival of Nnaji at Baylor could have significant implications for the team's performance and the broader landscape of college basketball. His size and experience could provide a major boost to Baylor's frontcourt. More broadly, this situation may force the NCAA to re-evaluate and potentially revise its eligibility rules regarding former professional players, particularly in the context of international basketball development.