The Baylor Bears have added New York Knicks draft-and-stash prospect James Nnaji to their roster, according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.
“James Nnaji, the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, has enrolled at Baylor, agents Gerard Raventos and Deirunas Visockas of Gersh Sports told DraftExpress,” Givony tweeted.
Baylor Bears Adds Intriguing Knicks Prospect Midseason, What Does It Mean For the Program and NY?
Nnaji was recently granted four years of college eligibility by the NCAA. He is expected to give Baylor’s frontcourt a significant boost.
Nnaji was the first pick of the second round in 2023 by the Detroit Pistons as a 19-year-old. After being selected by the Pistons, he was immediately traded twice, first to Boston and then to Charlotte. He played for the Hornets summer league team in 2023. But he was stashed overseas as he went back to Barcelona.
New York acquired Nnaji’s draft rights as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns three-team trade in October 2024. Nnaji returned overseas in 2024-25, playing for Spanish Club GB Girona and Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket in Turkey. He played for the Knicks Vegas squad this past summer, averaging 3.2 points on 100% shooting and 3.6 boards in 13 minutes over five appearances.
Nnaji didn’t sign with a team this fall. Despite heading to college, the 22-year-old big man’s rights are still owned by the Knicks. So, in essence, he chose Baylor over the G-League’s Westchester Knicks, where he would only make $45,000 per season.
If Nnaji impresses at Baylor the rest of the season, the Knicks could bring him into the fold in the summer. Mitchell Robinson is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and Guerschon Yabulese has struggled. Meanwhile, Ariel Hukporti and Mohammed Diawara will be restricted free agents.
What Does James Nnaji’s Joining Baylor Mean For The Bears?
Nnaji is a very strong, long, and athletic 7-footer who is an outstanding rim-runner. Nnaji is efficient, albeit limited, offensively with a nice touch around the rim. He is also an exceptional rebounder, though his calling card is his defense. A physical defender, he can guard in space, though rim-protecting is his specialty. He is also a strong defensive rebounder.
“James is a really talented young player with a ton of potential, and we’re excited to welcome him to the Baylor Family,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “Any time you add someone to the roster midseason, it’s going to be a process to get them acclimated and up to speed, but we know James will do everything he can to make it a seamless transition. Our immediate focus is on helping him take things step by step to ensure it’s best for both him and the team when he’s able to take the court.”
Baylor, which is seeking its seventh straight NCAA appearance, is 9-2 early in the season. But the Bears, who were already thin in the frontcourt, won’t have Juslin Bodo Bodo this season due to an upper arm injury. Bodo Bodo, a transfer from High Point, didn’t play at all this season. An outstanding interior defender and rebounder, Bodo Bodo was expected to provide depth behind seniors Michael Ratej and Caden Powell.
Senior guard JJ White may also not return this year as he is dealing with a foot injury. As a result of White’s loss, Drew has been using a seven-man rotation. So, Nnaji’s arrival comes at the right time. The Bears host Arlington Baptist, a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II member, on December 29 before starting Big 12 play.
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