2023 NBA Draft decide James Nnaji commits to Baylor in wild twist
It’s a decide and enroll.
James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA Draft decide, has enrolled at Baylor and is straight away eligible to play for the Bears this season, in line with Jonathan Givony of Draft Categorical.
It’s an uncommon improvement for a draft decide to return to highschool, however the loophole is straightforward: Nnaji, 21, by no means signed an NBA contract.
The Nigerian huge man, then simply 18 years outdated, was taken thirty first total by the Hornets in 2023 however as an alternative continued his profession abroad.
His draft rights had been then acquired by the Knicks within the three-team commerce that introduced celebrity Karl-Anthony Cities to the Knicks earlier than the 2024-25 season.
Nnaji has spent the majority of his worldwide profession with FC Barcelona, however he break up final season between Spain and Turkey.
In 22 complete video games break up between Bàsquet Girona and Turkey’s Yukatel Merkezefendi final season, he averaged 6.1 factors, 4.1 rebounds and one block in simply over 16 minutes per sport.
This previous summer time, his agent, Gerard Raventos, advised The Submit that Nnaji was pursuing a profession in america and joined the Knicks’ summer time league squad.
“Hopefully after [the summer league], we will attain an settlement,” Raventos mentioned. “That’s the plan, from either side. It’s 50/50, it relies upon how he does. He’s coming in nice form. … All the things will probably be based mostly on his performances within the Summer season League.”
In 5 summer time league contests, Nnaji averaged 3.2 factors and three.6 rebounds over 5 video games.
The Knicks didn’t signal Nnaji to the NBA group, and now he’s set to renew his profession within the US on the collegiate stage.
With the transfer, Nnaji might swimsuit up for the 9-2 Baylor Bears as quickly as Baylor’s Massive 12 opener Jan. 3 towards TCU.
