Basketball player gets four years of college eligibility, despite being drafted by NBA in 2023
The rigid barrier separating the NBA Draft from NCAA amateurism has officially collapsed. In a landmark decision that fundamentally alters the trajectory of player development, the NCAA has granted James Nnaji—the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft—four full years of college eligibility. Nnaji, whose NBA draft rights are currently held by the New York Knicks, has committed to join the Baylor Bears immediately, creating a historic precedent for drafted prospects.
This ruling is a stunning departure from traditional amateurism rules. Historically, remaining in the draft pool and being selected permanently severed a player's collegiate eligibility. However, the 21-year-old Nigerian center occupies a unique gray area. Despite being selected by the Detroit Pistons in 2023 and having his rights traded to the Charlotte Hornets and eventually the Knicks, Nnaji never signed a standard NBA contract. He spent the interim seasons developing professionally in Europe with FC Barcelona and Girona. In the current climate of collegiate athletics, defined by NIL earnings and antitrust pressure, the NCAA has ruled that Nnaji’s lack of a binding NBA agreement allows him to compete as a student-athlete.
For Baylor, the timing is impeccable. Head coach Scott Drew acquires a 7-foot defensive anchor with high-level EuroLeague experience to reinforce a frontcourt battered by injuries. Nnaji brings physical maturity and rim protection that could immediately shift the balance of power in the Big 12.
For the NBA, this creates a fascinating "domestic stash" model. The Knicks retain Nnaji’s exclusive NBA rights indefinitely, provided they issue a required tender annually. New York is effectively outsourcing their prospect’s development to a high-major college program rather than an international club or the G League. This arrangement benefits all parties: Nnaji gains exposure and NIL opportunities, Baylor gets an elite talent, and the Knicks can monitor their asset in a system closer to the NBA style. This decision signals that the pathways between the NBA and NCAA are no longer linear, potentially encouraging future second-round picks to reject two-way contracts in favor of the collegiate route.
This ruling is a stunning departure from traditional amateurism rules. Historically, remaining in the draft pool and being selected permanently severed a player's collegiate eligibility. However, the 21-year-old Nigerian center occupies a unique gray area. Despite being selected by the Detroit Pistons in 2023 and having his rights traded to the Charlotte Hornets and eventually the Knicks, Nnaji never signed a standard NBA contract. He spent the interim seasons developing professionally in Europe with FC Barcelona and Girona. In the current climate of collegiate athletics, defined by NIL earnings and antitrust pressure, the NCAA has ruled that Nnaji’s lack of a binding NBA agreement allows him to compete as a student-athlete.
For Baylor, the timing is impeccable. Head coach Scott Drew acquires a 7-foot defensive anchor with high-level EuroLeague experience to reinforce a frontcourt battered by injuries. Nnaji brings physical maturity and rim protection that could immediately shift the balance of power in the Big 12.
For the NBA, this creates a fascinating "domestic stash" model. The Knicks retain Nnaji’s exclusive NBA rights indefinitely, provided they issue a required tender annually. New York is effectively outsourcing their prospect’s development to a high-major college program rather than an international club or the G League. This arrangement benefits all parties: Nnaji gains exposure and NIL opportunities, Baylor gets an elite talent, and the Knicks can monitor their asset in a system closer to the NBA style. This decision signals that the pathways between the NBA and NCAA are no longer linear, potentially encouraging future second-round picks to reject two-way contracts in favor of the collegiate route.
