The Detroit Pistons selected Nigerian big man James Nnaji with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after a promising year with Barcelona, and immediately traded him to the Charlotte Hornets. Nnaji’s rights were eventually traded to the New York Knicks as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns deal, but he remained under contract in Europe and never played an NBA game despite appearing in Las Vegas Summer League for the Knicks.
Now Nnaji is coming to men’s college basketball, and he’s eligible immediately. Nnaji committed to Baylor on Christmas Eve, and he can be on the floor for the second half of this season. The NIL and transfer portal have completely changed college hoops, and a former NBA draft pick being cleared to play is a new frontier for the sport.
College basketball is already full of former European pros; just look at Illinois’ roster this season. Nnaji’s arrival is different because he was already drafted into the NBA and he’s joining at mid-season, but this isn’t totally out of line with the current trends of the sport.
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The 21-year-old Nnaji has outstanding physical tools as a 7-foot center with a 7’7 wingspan and strong frame. He projected as a rim protector, offensive rebounder, and lob catcher when he was drafted, and all of those traits should translate immediately to college hoops.
Baylor needs help defensively, and Nnaji should be a huge addition there. The Bears are 9-2 and rank No. 6 in offensive efficiency according to KenPom, but rank only No. 106 in defensive efficiency. Baylor does not have a player taller than 6’9 in the rotation, and Nnaji changes that. The team has only lost to St. John’s and Memphis so far this season, and is about to start the gauntlet in the toughest conference in America this season, the Big 12.
Nnaji always had the tools to be an NBA player. He just didn’t get the opportunity. Now he has a big platform to prove himself at Baylor, and draw NBA interest all over again.
