In a wild twist, James Nnaji—a former NBA draft pick—has actually been cleared by the NCAA to play college basketball for Baylor. That’s stirred up a lot of chatter among coaches and fans, and honestly, who can blame them?
Nnaji was the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft, but he never played an official NBA game. Now he’s set to join Baylor’s roster, and it feels like a sign of the times—more pros are eyeing college hoops, drawn by revenue sharing and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals.
It’s a strange new world for college basketball, and nobody’s quite sure what’s coming next.
The Unprecedented Case of James Nnaji
Nnaji’s path to Baylor is unusual, but there have been a few similar stories. After getting drafted and a stint in the Summer League, he played in Europe for a while.
He’s able to play college ball now thanks to some pretty specific NCAA rules. Here’s what they require:
- No previous college enrollment
- No official NBA game experience
- Within a five-year window of high school graduation
It’s not just Nnaji, either. Nastja Claessens, a former WNBA draft pick, is now at Kansas State under similar circumstances. Neither had gone to college before, and they fit right inside the eligibility window.
European Pros and NCAA Eligibility
Nnaji’s not the only European pro making this leap. The NCAA has also cleared players like Virginia’s Thijs De Ridder, Ole Miss’ Ilias Kamardine, and North Carolina’s Luka Bogavac.
These guys went undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft but are now showing up big in college games. Technically, they’re undrafted free agents, so if an NBA team wants them, they can sign at any time.
It adds a weird kind of flexibility to NCAA eligibility, but the main rules haven’t changed all that much.
Concerns Among College Coaches
Nnaji joining Baylor has definitely raised some eyebrows with college coaches. There’s a lot of worry about what it means for teams if rosters can change midseason, right before conference play kicks off.
Coaches like John Calipari at Arkansas and Tom Izzo at Michigan State haven’t been shy about saying these eligibility rules are getting pretty blurry.
The Legal Landscape
NCAA President Charlie Baker has said that players with NBA contracts, including two-way deals, can’t play college basketball. But the NCAA’s record in court isn’t great when it comes to defending eligibility rules.
With recent changes around NIL and revenue sharing, the old idea of “amateurism” is fading fast. Honestly, it seems likely that future legal battles could shake things up even more.
Take Trentyn Flowers, for example. He’s on a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls but is looking into college options. If he pushes the issue, it could be another big case to watch.
The Financial Appeal of College Basketball
Money is a huge part of this. The G League pays about $40,000, while EuroLeague salaries can hit $500,000 to $800,000.
Even a two-way NBA contract is around $646,000. But some college players are now making more than that—sometimes a lot more—thanks to revenue sharing and NIL deals.
What’s Next?
Right now, the NCAA says players like Nnaji can play if they meet the eligibility rules. But things are shifting quickly.
With big money on the table and possible legal fights ahead, we could see more pros heading to college. The NCAA insists that anyone with an NBA contract is out, but if history’s any guide, those rules might not last forever.
Conclusion
James Nnaji’s eligibility to play for Baylor is a pretty big deal for college basketball. It’s not every day you see the NCAA grappling with the changing landscape of amateur sports.
The lure of college basketball—especially the financial side—will probably keep drawing in former professionals. There’s a lot of debate, and honestly, nobody seems totally sure where NCAA eligibility rules are headed next.
Curious for more details? Check out the full article on ESPN’s website here.
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