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James Nnaji, a 21-year-old Nigerian centre who was selected in the 2023 NBA Draft but granted permission to play college basketball in the US, made his controversial debut on Saturday.
Just ten days after joining Baylor University, the seven-foot Nnaji took to the court for his first college game with the Bears, which ended in a 69-63 defeat against Texas Christian University.
Nnaji faced boos from TCU fans each time he touched the ball during his just over 16 minutes of play, during which he scored 5 points by shooting 2-of-3 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free throw line, along with four rebounds and an assist for the school based in Waco, Texas.
“James is a really talented young player with a ton of potential, and we’re excited to welcome him to the Baylor family,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said.
Since 2020, Nnaji has been with Barcelona, participating in Euroleague matches and also being loaned to clubs in Spain and Turkey.
He was drafted by Detroit as the 31st overall pick in 2023 and played in Summer League games, but has yet to make an appearance in an official NBA game. Nnaji’s rights were later traded to Charlotte, which passed them to New York in 2024 as part of a three-team trade that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) approved Nnaji’s eligibility, citing that he had not played in the NBA or for another college and that he was within five years of graduating high school.
This season, three former NBA G League players also gained college eligibility, but there are concerns that Nnaji might set a precedent for professional players signing midseason with colleges. Although NCAA officials stated that players with signed NBA contracts will not be eligible, this issue might ultimately be settled in court.
In recent years, colleges have become more appealing due to NIL deals—rights regarding name, image, and likeness for sponsorships that can exceed some professional contracts.
