James Nnaji: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Baylor looks to rebuild what could be over seven players leaving, with four senior guards, two possibly getting drafted, and freshman center James Nnaji leaving for the portal.

New York Knicks News / Baylor Bears on SI / April 7

Controversial In-Season Addition Enters the Transfer Portal

The James Nnaji era is over, and some would call it the end of an error. Nnaji was one of the most controversial signings in college basketball history, and his Baylor career likely ended on Tuesday afternoon when it was announced he entered the transfer portal.

College Basketball News / Yardbarker / February 9

Charles Bediako case takes another twist after latest ruling

Charles Bediako's NCAA eligibility case took another turn on Monday when an Alabama judge denied his preliminary injunction, ending the former NBA G-Leaguer's exploitation of a restrained NCAA's muddled eligibility requirements.

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College Football News / Baylor Bears on SI / January 25

Scott Drew's Message to Baylor After 1-6 Big 12 Record, Why James Nnaji Didn't Play

The Baylor Bears fell to 1-6 in Big 12 play on Saturday night after falling to TCU, in what felt like a must-win game for Scott Drew's team. The Horned Frogs were without their star forward David Punch, who missed the contest with the flu.

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NBA News / Hoops Rumors / January 21

Dink Pate Exploring NCAA Options, Has Passed On Two-Way Offers

Former G League Ignite guard/forward Dink Pate, who is currently playing for the Westchester Knicks, is exploring potential college options, agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation tells Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress (Twitter link).

New York Knicks News / Heartland College Sports / January 11

Maybe Everyone Overreacted About James Nnaji

When Baylor brought in former NBA player James Nnaji, people online acted like the sport was falling apart. Not because he was some five-star monster about to drop 30 a night, but because the NCAA actually cleared him to play.

Takeaways from Baylor's loss to Iowa State

Despite the abundance of headlines surrounding Baylor basketball, Scott Drew, and their controversial addition of James Nnaji, the Bears opened their 2026 with a loss to rival TCU, with Nnaji recording five points, four rebounds in his 16 minutes of action.

NBA News / TCU Horned Frogs on SI / January 5

Midnite Madness and College Basketball's Next Gray Area

James Nnaji made his debut as a basketball player for Baylor University on Saturday, January 3, during the Bears’ 69-63 Big 12 Conference loss to TCU in a sold-out Schollmaier Arena, on the Horned Frogs’ campus in Fort Worth, Texas.

New York Knicks News / New York Knicks on SI / January 3

Knicks Should Make Obvious Move to Save Dink Pate Chances

Last week, James Nnaji, who was the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA draft and played with the New York Knicks in Summer League, enrolled at Baylor. The decision opened a Pandora's box in the college basketball world.

Baylor coach Scott Drew reveals game plan for playing James Nnaji against TCU

Big 12 play has arrived for Baylor and Scott Drew. Sitting at 10-2 on the season, the Bears will hit the road to take on a TCU program that also has 10 wins.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NBA players to never play in college

Typically, the path to the NBA for most players is to spend at least a season in college to get high-level basketball and important development under their belts.

NBA News / Colorado Buffaloes on SI / January 1

Tad Boyle Calls Out NCAA For Allowing Former Pro James Nnaji Eligibility

Like many other college basketball coaches across the country, Colorado's Tad Boyle was left confused by the NCAA's recent decision to allow former NBA Draft pick James Nnaji four years of eligibility.

Baylor Bears News / Hoops Rumors / December 30

NCAA says players who signed NBA contracts won't be granted eligibility

Although the NCAA has granted four years of college eligibility to 2023 second-round pick James Nnaji, who recently enrolled at Baylor, players who have signed NBA contracts will remain ineligible to play college basketball.

Tom Izzo criticizes absurd system that let Baylor add former NBA Draft pick

Caleb Wilson, No. 12 North Carolina swat Florida State in ACC opener

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Baylor Bears News / Baylor Bears on SI / December 29

Baylor coach Scott Drew reacts to MSU coach Tom Izzo's statement on James Nnaji

Baylor basketball is currently involved with one of the most controversial topics in college basketball. Last week, the Bears gained a new player midway through the season and that was 2023 NBA Draft pick James Nnaji.

College Basketball News / Larry Brown Sports / December 27

Tom Izzo criticizes system that let Baylor add former draft pick

Tom Izzo criticizes absurd system that allowed Baylor to add former NBA Draft pick James Nnaji: 'Shame on the NCAA, shame on the coaches'

Izzo is very much a traditionalist, and unsurprisingly, he was staunchly opposed to the move.

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New York Knicks News / New York Knicks on SI / December 26

Knicks Center Returns to College Basketball

The Christmas holiday just so happened to be a groundbreaking day in college basketball. James Nnaji, whose draft rights are owned by the New York Knicks and were selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, will open the door for guys getting drafted and stashed on NCAA teams instead of overseas.

NBA News / Ball Exclusives / December 24

How did former NBA Draft pick James Nnaji commit to Baylor?

The college sports world was sent into a frenzy on Wednesday after former Detroit Pistons second-round pick James Nnaji officially committed to Baylor University.

New York Knicks News / Hoops Rumors / December 24

Knicks Prospect James Nnaji Enrolls At Baylor

Two years after being selected with the 31st overall pick in the NBA draft, center James Nnaji has enrolled at Baylor and will be immediately eligible to play college basketball this season, his agents at Gersh Sports tell Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress (Twitter link).

Baylor Bears News / Yardbarker / December 26

Former NBA draft pick's college return reveals lunacy of system

Former NBA draft pick's college return reveals lunacy of current system

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New York Knicks News / New York Knicks on SI / August 2, 2025

Prospect Fully Commits to Knicks

The chase to make it to the NBA is officially on for James Nnaji. The 20-year-old center was first officially noticed by the league when he was taken with the first pick of the second round in the 2023 NBA Draft, but he's yet to suit up in the world's top professional league.

New York Knicks News / Hoops Rumors / August 2, 2025

Knicks prospect James Nnaji parts ways with Barcelona

Barcelona and center James Nnaji have opted out of a contract that was scheduled to run through the 2026-27 season, according to an announcement from the Spanish club.

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NBA News / Charlotte Hornets on SI / October 2, 2024

Hornets Trade Grade: James Nnaji to New York Knicks for Multiple Draft Picks

The Charlotte Hornets have finally completed their complex pre-season trade with the Knicks and Timberwolves. After days of speculation, the full details of the trade have been revealed.

NBA News / Larry Brown Sports / October 1, 2024

Full details emerge on Karl-Anthony Towns trade

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