Baylor men’s basketball has received a commitment from Nigerian center James Nnaji, a 7-foot-0, 250-pound big man who will be a midseason transfer. He is expected to be able to play for the Bears either in their final non-conference game on Dec. 29 or at the start of the second semester in January.
It’s an unprecedented move considering that Nnaji was selected 31st overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2023 NBA Draft. Nnaji’s draft rights were traded to Charlotte, as he played on the Hornets’ Summer League Team. In 2024, his rights were traded to the New York Knicks, along with star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, as part of a three-team trade. Nnaji played on the Knicks’ Summer League team in 2025.
Nnaji, however, has never played in an NBA game, but is another case study in pushing back the curtain on the NCAA’s powers, especially after it was determined that G-League players could return to play college basketball.
As Yahoo Sports put it, “The trend is a byproduct of the NCAA’s definition of amateurism loosening as college athletes have gained economic freedom. The line between pro and college athlete has blurred with the NCAA permitting athletes to profit from NIL deals.”
Nnaji spent time with FC Barcelona from 2020 to 2024 before being loaned to Girona of the Spanish Liga ACB, where he averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game across 14 games.
He then finished the 2024-2025 season with Merkezefendi of the Basketbol Super Ligi in Turkey, averaging 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in eight contests.
Baylor was forced to explore a midseason transfer because it had just one healthy big man on the roster, senior Caden Powell. Nnaji, who boasts a 7-foot-7 wingspan, should be another impactful big man as conference play heats up.
High Point transfer center Juslin Bodo Bodo was injured in the offseason and is now expected to redshirt. True freshmen bigs Maikcol Perez (ACL) and Mayo Soyoye (redshirt) are both out for the year as well.
Nnaji is just 21 years old, and will have four years of eligibility. He has no relation to former Arizona star and current Denver Nugget Zeke Nnaji.
