How Did James Nnaji Play In Baylor Debut After CBB Eligibility Drama?

2023 NBA draft pick James Nnaji made his debut for Baylor during the team's 69-63 loss to TCU on Saturday.

Nnaji finished with five points, four rebounds, one assist and two turnovers in 16 minutes off the bench. He shot 2-of-3 from the field and connected on one of his two free throws.

Nnaji was selected with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, but never played in the Association and competed professionally in Europe instead. He enrolled at Baylor on Dec. 24.

"We knew that we were probably going to add somebody at the (beginning of the) semester because of season-ending injuries," Bears head coach Scott Drew said before Saturday's game, via the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "And James ended up working out, so we're very excited to have another healthy body."

Nnaji's situation generated attention as he became the first former NBA draft pick to be cleared by the NCAA, although similar scenarios have occurred as of late.

Santa Clara forward Thierry Darlan, BYU center Abdullah Ahmed and Louisville guard London Johnson were all deemed eligible to join their respective colleges despite previously signing with NBA G League teams.

All three players, along with Nnaji, were able to make the move since they never played in an official NBA game and were are within the five-year window of a high school graduation (via ESPN's Jeff Borzello).

Nnaji played for both Bàsquet Girona in Spain and Turkish team Yukatel Merkezefendi during his 2024-25 campaign, averaging 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game across both teams.

The 21-year-old then appeared with the New York Knicks in the 2025 NBA Summer League before eventually enrolling at Baylor.

Nnaji came off the bench on Saturday, but could see a larger role moving forward.

"He got here after Christmas," Drew said Saturday, per the Associated Press. "He has not played five-on-five since the summer. So, if you take seven months off, it's going to take some time."

Baylor fell to 10-3 with the loss to TCU and will face No. 3 Iowa State in its next contest on Wednesday.