Baylor men’s basketball coach Scott Drew on Sunday defended the program’s Christmas Eve addition of James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft selection, saying the move simply follows the current rules of college basketball.
The Bears announced on Dec. 24 that Nnaji, chosen 31st overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2023 draft and later traded to the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks, had signed to play in Waco. The 7-foot center never appeared in an NBA game and spent the past five seasons in FC Barcelona’s system, logging 51 EuroLeague contests while completing loan stints with two other Spanish clubs.
First former NBA draftee cleared for men’s college play
While G League guards Thierry Darlan (Santa Clara) and London Johnson (Louisville) committed to colleges earlier this academic year, Nnaji is the first former NBA draft pick to be ruled eligible for men’s Division I competition. Drew noted that several international players who entered but went undrafted are already on NCAA rosters, as is Kansas State women’s player Nastja Claessens, taken in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Reaction from rival coaches
The signing drew immediate pushback. UConn coach Dan Hurley wrote on X the same night, “Santa Claus is delivering mid season acquisitions… this s*** is crazy!!” Gonzaga’s Mark Few told reporters Sunday, “We really don’t have any organizational or any real rules right now,” adding that without clear guidance “it’s hard to blame anybody.”
Tom Izzo of Michigan State said Saturday he had contacted Drew for clarification. “If we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA… shame on the NCAA,” Izzo said. Drew responded that the two had a “great conversation” and emphasized that coaches must adjust until collective bargaining produces enforceable regulations. “We don’t make the rules,” Drew said. “We’re always going to adapt to put our program in the best position to be successful.”
Timeline for debut
Nnaji arrived in Waco on Sunday evening and is scheduled for a physical on Monday, making an appearance against Arlington Baptist that night unlikely. Baylor opens Big 12 play at TCU on Saturday and hosts Iowa State on Jan. 7.
The Bears need front-court depth after center Juslin Bodo Bodo was ruled out for the season with an arm injury and Omaha transfer JJ White has been sidelined since Nov. 24 by a foot issue. Drew said Nnaji will not see the floor until he learns the team’s schemes but projected an eventual eight-man rotation. “He’ll be a much better player at the end of the year than he is in the first couple of weeks,” the coach added.
Source: ESPN
