NCAA Under Massive Scrutiny as Drafted NBA Player James Nnaji Commits to Baylor in Explosive Move

Back in 2023, James Nnaji was one of the most interesting frontcourt prospects heading into the NBA draft. The Nigerian center's path to becoming a full-fledged NBA player, however, has taken some interesting turns.

On Christmas Eve, Nnaji became a viral topic as news broke of his commitment to the Baylor Bears. All eyes are now on the NCAA as a former NBA draft pick is set to play in the current college season.

Prior to the 2023 NBA draft, the 7-foot Nnaji was touted by ESPN as the 24th-best prospect in the entire draft class. Nnaji, who has a wing span of 7 feet 7 inches, ended up getting selected 31st overall by the Charlotte Hornets.

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Just as Nnaji was soaking in the feeling of getting drafted into the NBA, his draft rights were traded to the Boston Celtics, then shipped to the Charlotte Hornets on the same night.

Nnaji, however, never signed with the Hornets. In 2024, his rights were once again traded; this time, they were dealt to the New York Knicks as part of the three-team deal that brought Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl Anthony-Towns to the Big Apple.

While waiting for his opportunity to join an NBA roster, Nnaji continued to hone his craft in the Spanish Liga ACB. This year, however, he was let go by FC Barcelona, the ball club that he'd been signed to since 2020.

There's no telling when or if Nnaji will actually get to play an official NBA game, but basketball historians will forever note his name after he essentially flipped the script of the typical college-to-NBA trajectory. The NCAA, however, will likely face a multitude of questions surrounding Nnaji's eligibility to play for the Bears.

"Knicks still have his draft rights": Analyst weighs in on James Nnaji's NBA future

In the wake of the announcement that Nnaji would be committing to Baylor, fans have tried to wrap their heads around the implications of this decision for Nnaji's draft rights.

For what it's worth, Fred Katz of The Athletic has claimed that those draft rights stay exactly where they last were.

"Nnaji going to Baylor has no effect on his draft rights. Knicks still have them," Katz tweeted in response to one fan's question.

It will be interesting, then, to see if the Knicks will indeed make a push to sign Nnaji if he ends up having a stellar season with Baylor.

Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado