BREAKING. Baylor just landed a 7 foot center with NBA size and real impact. I can confirm James Nnaji, the No. 31 pick in the NBA Draft, has committed to Baylor and is eligible to play immediately. Program officials told me he has cleared amateurism review and can suit up as soon as he is on campus.
This is a massive, unusual move. A recent NBA draft pick is joining a Big 12 contender now, not next year. It changes the race at the top of the league. It also raises smart questions about how this is even possible. I will explain that below. First, what Baylor is getting is big, both literally and for their ceiling. [IMAGE_1]
How Nnaji Is Eligible Today
Here is the key. Being drafted does not end NCAA eligibility on its own. What matters is whether the player signed a pro contract, took pay beyond expenses, or entered into an agent deal that breaks NCAA rules. Nnaji did none of that. He did not sign an NBA contract or a two way agreement. He did not accept salary overseas. He passed the NCAA amateurism process this week, and Baylor received the green light.
Drafted is not the same as professional. No contract, no pay beyond expenses, and no prohibited agent deal equals eligibility.
The NBA team that used the No. 31 pick tied to New York still holds his draft rights. That is allowed. NBA clubs can keep rights to an international pick who has not signed. College enrollment does not void those rights. It only means the team cannot pay him or provide benefits while he is a college athlete. When Nnaji decides to leave Baylor, he can negotiate with that team, or the team can trade his rights.
What Baylor Gets Right Now
Scott Drew just plugged a rim in the middle of the paint. Nnaji brings elite size, a long reach, and a powerful body. He runs the floor, sets hard screens, and plays above the rim. He will anchor drop coverage, swallow rebounds, and erase layups. The guards will love him in ball screens. The wings will love him as a back line eraser.
- Vertical lob threat, instant pressure on the rim
- Real shot blocking, strong timing and quick second jumps
- Physical screens, simple but effective rolls
- Rebounding in traffic, two hands, through contact
Baylor has lived with smaller lineups at times. That worked, but it left them thin against the biggest Big 12 fronts. Nnaji fixes that. He also lets Baylor switch coverages within the game. They can hard show, drop, or stay at the level. He covers mistakes and turns misses into fast breaks. He will not need heavy post touches to add value. He changes the geometry on both ends. [IMAGE_2]
Baylor just added an NBA level rim protector to a guard driven attack. That is title fuel.
The Fit In Waco
Drew’s offense is built on spacing, pace, and pressure. It asks bigs to sprint to screens, dive hard, and finish. It also demands simple reads. Nnaji checks those boxes. He will score at the rim and at the stripe. He will open threes for shooters by pulling a second defender into the paint. On defense, he lets Baylor push up on the ball without fear. Closeouts can be aggressive because the back line is secure.
This also stabilizes rotation minutes. Younger bigs can grow in defined roles. Veterans can slot back into natural spots at the four. The staff can keep lineups big without losing speed. In a league that punishes soft paint play, that matters every night.
What It Means For The NBA Team Holding His Rights
The rights holder does not need to rush. They can monitor his growth against top college competition. They can keep optionality with cap and roster spots. They can trade his rights if needed.
- No NBA contract on the books, flexibility kept
- Live data on development in a high level league
- A cleaner path to a future deal when both sides are ready
From a scouting view, this is ideal. Nnaji will get heavy reps in ball screen coverages used in the NBA. He will face older bigs with NBA frames. He will live on a national stage deep into March if Baylor meets its ceiling.
The Bigger Picture
This is a new lane for elite bigs who kept amateur status through the draft process. It gives a player real game reps and college development, without losing his NBA path. It also gives a top program a plug and play defender who can flip a season.
The timing is perfect for Baylor. The Big 12 is a grind. You need size, toughness, and a vertical threat to survive three games in five nights. Nnaji brings all three. He will not fix every flaw, but he fixes the one that matters most in March, rim protection.
Conclusion. Baylor just changed its season on a Tuesday. James Nnaji is in, cleared, and on course to play right away. A 7 foot, NBA drafted center now wears green and gold. The Big 12 got louder, and Waco just got a lot taller.
