"This is BS!" - 2x All-Star Calls Out NCAA for Allowing 7-Foot NBA Draft Pick James Nnaji to Rejoin Baylor Roster

Former NBA player James Nnaji committed to Baylor to play college basketball three years after he was drafted with the 31st pick. Two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas called out the NCAA for allowing the 7-foot Nigerian big man to join the Bears roster.

Thomas on X on Sunday tweeted his frustration after the story which was initially reported by Jonathan Givony of NBA Draft Express on Wednesday.

“This is BS!!! NCAA trippin for letting this shit happen.”

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James Nnaji was granted four years of eligibility by the NCAA to play college basketball. He will be eligible immediately and could debut in Baylor’s mid-season schedule as early as their January games.

The news comes as a shock as Nnaji was drafted and his NBA rights were traded multiple times. However, he never signed an official NBA contract and never played an NBA regular-season or G League game. Instead, he played professionally overseas in Europe and because he never signed an NBA contract, the NCAA ruled he still had amateur eligibility and could compete in college.

A lawyer in an ongoing federal lawsuit against the NCAA cited Nnaji’s eligibility decision as an example of inconsistent NCAA standards. The situation has sparked a lot of debate among fans and analysts because it has blurred traditional lines between professional and college sports.

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Michigan State coach Tom Izzo reacts to James Nnaji's NCAA eligibility

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo on Saturday criticized the NCAA for its decision to allow former NBA player James Nnaji to join Baylor.

"I'm a little surprised. I've got a call in to Scott (Drew). I'm anxious to see what he tells me. If we're dipping into guys who were drafted to the NBA... shame on the NCAA. And shame on the coaches, too.”

UConn coach Dan Hurley joked about the report in a tweet. He responded more playfully on social media, noting the shock value of the situation and comparing it to other mid-season roster additions.

Edited by Ubong Richard