Baylor coach Scott Drew justified his signing of 2023 NBA draft pick James Nnaji amid significant criticism from other college coaches, analysts and fans.
Drew said Sunday the Bears are embracing the modern era of college basketball while prioritizing what’s best for their program. Baylor signed Nnaji, a 21-year-old 7-footer from Nigeria, on Christmas Eve. Despite Nnaji being the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the NCAA awarded him four years of collegiate eligibility because he never appeared in an NBA or G League game.
“We’re going to adapt to put our program in the best position to be successful, because that’s what we get paid to do,” Drew said.
Prominent coaches around college basketball, including Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, Gonzaga’s Mark Few and UConn’s Dan Hurley criticized the move and the lack of NCAA regulations surrounding roster additions. Hurley posted on X, “this s— is crazy!!” after Nnaji’s commitment, and reposted a post that said “College Basketball should be for (high school) kids and (junior college) kids moving up, not a step backwards for professional players.”
“If that’s what we’re going to, shame on the NCAA,” Izzo said. “Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA, because coaches are gonna do what they gotta do, I guess. But the NCAA is the one. Those people on those committees that are making those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think of the kid.”
Drew said he spoke with Izzo about his decision to add Nnaji, calling it a “great conversation.”
“As (Izzo) said, most coaches are 99 percent aligned on things that we would like to see done with our game. At the same time, from my knowledge, until we get to collective bargaining, I don’t think we can come up with rules that are agreeable or enforceable. Until that, I think all of us have got to be ready to adjust and adapt to what’s out there,” Drew said.
The NCAA has allowed other players to join college programs after playing professionally, including Santa Clara guard Thierry Darlan, who was given two years of eligibility after spending two years in the G League. He was the first pro athlete to obtain NCAA eligibility. Louisville guard London Johnson played several seasons professionally — with the G League Ignite, Maine Celtics and the Cleveland Charge — before signing with the Cardinals. Izzo previously called Johnson’s eligibility ruling “ridiculous” and “embarrassing.”
Drew said Sunday he previously opposed making G League players eligible under NCAA rules, but also that he is adapting to put Baylor in the best possible position. The Bears coach said he wasn’t fully aware of the intricacies behind Nnaji’s eligibility ruling, noting that several undrafted international players are playing college basketball this season. Kansas State women’s basketball forward Nastja Claessens, who was selected 30th in the 2024 WNBA draft, is competing for the Wildcats this season.
“We don’t make the rules,” Drew said. “I just know they told us he could play, so I’m happy.”
Nnaji didn’t play in Baylor’s 124-61 win over Arlington Baptist on Monday, but Drew said he hopes the forward can play against TCU on Jan. 3 in the team’s Big 12 opener. The Bears are 10-2 this season.