A decision by Baylor University to enroll a Nigerian professional basketball player, James Nnaji on their students’ roster has left experts of the giants’ game in God’s Own Country crying ‘foul.’
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Sports247 gathered that a heated debate has emerged from the shock announcement by the collegiate franchise, as basketball experts are questioning the combination of professionalism and academics.
Most agitations are sternly against Baylor’s announcement that they had added the experienced Nigerian-born center and 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to their undergraduate roster.
However, a counter augment pointed out that college sports is now professional in almost every sense, with the recent inclusion of players who have signed pro-contracts in Europe and the NBA G League.
Nonetheless, a larger chunk of comments are against Baylor’s acquisition of Nnaji, as he is seen as someone who turned pro out of high school and ran into a career dead end.
Yahoo Sports senior writer, Dan Wolken noted: “Nnaji, who has been playing in Europe, was one draft slot away from being a first-round pick with a guaranteed NBA contract.
“He played in the NBA Summer League and has even been part of a trade. Is this really the type of player who should be part of college basketball?
“Who knows, maybe Arizona can get LeBron James on the bench for its Final Four push if he wants to play with his son Bryce.
“That would be absurd, of course – and expressly against NCAA rules since these pro-to-college cases must take place within five years of high school.”
UConn coach Dan Hurley added on X shortly after the news became public: “Santa Claus is delivering mid-season acquisitions…this is crazy!!”
Sports247 checks further revealed that, although an unusual development for a draft pick to return to school, the loophole is that 21-year-old Nnaji never signed an NBA contract.
He was just 18 years old when he was drafted 31st overall by The Hornets in 2023 but instead continued his career overseas, where he excelled with Barcelona’s basketball team.
His draft rights were then acquired by New York Knicks in a three-team trade that also brought Karl-Anthony Towns in before the 2024-25 season.
That makes Nnaji immediately eligible to play for The Bears this season, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.
