James Nnaji commits to Baylor, adding to wave of former pros entering NCAA basketball

James Nnaji, the 31st pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, has committed to Baylor, according to a source familiar with the move.

The NCAA has awarded Nnaji four years of eligibility, and the 21-year-old becomes available immediately with the hope he’s ready for Baylor’s Big 12 opener Jan. 3 at TCU.

Nnaji, who the Detroit Pistons selected, was immediately traded to the Charlotte Hornets. His rights were traded to the New York Knicks in 2024 as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns deal. Nnaji never appeared in the NBA or the G League, allowing him to become eligible to play for Baylor.

Since being drafted, Nnaji has played professionally overseas, including stints with Girona in Spain in 2024-25. He recently played for Merkezefendi but he parted ways with the team in July. Nnaji also appeared in five NBA Summer League games for the Knicks in 2025, averaging 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. After being drafted, he appeared in six games for the Hornets’ summer league squad.

Nnaji becomes the latest player to join an NCAA program after previously playing professionally, a phenomenon that has become increasingly controversial. Guard Thierry Darlan committed to Santa Clara in September and was given two years of eligibility after spending two years in the G League. He was the first pro athlete to obtain NCAA eligibility.

Guard London Johnson committed to Louisville in October and joined the Cardinals this month. He has been playing professionally since 2022, with two seasons as a member of G League Ignite followed by spells with the Maine Celtics and Cleveland Charge. After Johnson’s commitment, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo expressed his outrage at this new development.

“I do not know anything about it. I cannot believe this was sprung on us (Monday),” Izzo said. “And if it was done earlier and I didn’t know about it, then shame on me. But my compliance officer didn’t know. There are people in this league that didn’t know. The NCAA has got to regroup.

“This just goes to show you how ridiculous people that are in power make decisions. I’m not real excited about the NCAA or who’s making these decisions without talking to us; (they’re) just letting it go because they’re afraid they’re going to get sued.”

Baylor has been decimated by injuries this season. The Bears have been without forward Maikcol Perez and center Juslin Bodo Bodo for the entire year, and are hoping Nnaji can provide a boost.