James Nnaji - College Basketball News & Rumors

2023 second-round pick plans to enter college basketball transfer portal A controversial college basketball player put his name in the transfer portal. Baylor forward James Nnaji plans to enter, according to Joe T...

APRIL 7 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Kansas' Bidunga, Wake Forest's Harris, Saint Mary's Murauskas among players entering men's portal

Kansas big man Flory Bidunga, Wake Forest’s Juke Harris and Saint Mary’s Paulius Murauskas are among the parade of players entering the transfer portal on the first of 15 days Divi...

APRIL 7 • Associated Press

Leaving Baylor Nnaji will enter the transfer portal, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com.

Impact Nnaj controversially joined Baylor midway through the season despite the fact that he was an NBA Draft pick in 2023. Now, the seven-footer will look for a new home by way of the transfer portal, and it'll be interesting to see what programs show interest in big man.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Saturday Nnaji (undisclosed) is available for Saturday's game versus Iowa State.

Impact Nnaji has been playing through an undisclosed injury since joining the team in December and will continue to do so during Saturday's contest. The 7-foot center is averaging 1.4 points and 2.8 rebounds across nine games played.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Probable Saturday Nnaji (undisclosed) has been designated as probable ahead of Saturday's game against Iowa State.

Impact Nnaji, who has been limited with an undisclosed issue since joining the team in late December, has been listed as probable ahead of Saturday's game against Iowa State. The 7-foot center, a former NBA draft pick, is averaging 1.4 points and 2.8 rebounds across nine games with Baylor (10.3 minutes per game).

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Available Wednesday Nnaji (undisclosed) is available for Baylor's tilt with Colorado.

Impact Nnaji is absent from the Bears' injury report, so he'll be available for Baylor's tilt with Colorado. The center averages 1.3 points and 2.9 rebounds this season.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to play Nnaji (undisclosed) is probable for Wednesday's game against Colorado.

Impact Nnaji offers depth in the frontcourt for Baylor, and he's played fewer than 10 minutes in four of his last five outings. The probable tag suggests he'll be available, but even if that's the case, he's not expected to have a big role overall.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Plays one minute in win Nnaji (undisclosed) finished with no counting stats in one minute during Saturday's 63-53 win over West Virginia.

Impact Nnaji was a game-time call for the Bears, and he wound up playing just one minute in a win over West Virginia. The center will look to get more involved on Wednesday, Feb. 4 against Colorado.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed a game-time call Nnaji (undisclosed) is a game-time call for Baylor's game at West Virginia on Saturday.

Impact Nnaji was listed as probable on Friday, but the center is now officially a game-time call -- his availability should be determined right at tip-off. He's averaging 1.4 points and 3.3 rebounds this season.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Probable for Saturday Nnaji (undisclosed) is probable for Saturday's clash with West Virginia.

Impact Nnaji is likely to play barring any setbacks, and it's unclear what the controversial center is dealing with at the moment. He's averaging 1.4 points and 3.3 rebounds off the bench.

JANUARY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Active Wednesday Nnaji (undisclosed) registered one rebound in seven minutes during Wednesday's 67-57 loss to Cincinnati.

Impact Nnaji, who was listed as a game-time decision ahead of Wednesday's game against the Bearcats, was active for the Bears. The 7-foot former NBA Draft Pick, who joined the team in late December, is averaging 1.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across seven games (11.6 minutes per game).

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

GTD vs. Cincinnati Nnaji (undisclosed) is listed as a game-time decision ahead of Wednesday's game against Cincinnati.

Impact Nnaji is questionable to play and could miss back-to-back games as he continues dealing with an undisclosed injury. His status should clear up closer to tipoff.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Pops up on injury report Nnaji (undisclosed) is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against Cincinnati.

Impact Nnaji is tending to a minor injury, but it looks like he'll play through the issue. Since joining Baylor between semesters, Nnaji is averaging 1.7 points and 3.7 rebounds across 12.3 minutes spanning six games.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

'We're Going To Beat Them Anyways': Todd Golden Calls Out Bama, Charles Bediako

Three coaches at top college basketball programs criticized Alabama and former G-League forward Charles Bediako.

JANUARY 23 • FOX SPORTS

'We're Going To Beat Them Anyways': Todd Golden Calls Out Bama, Charles Bediako

Court Grants 2-Way G-League Player Temporary College Basketball Eligibility

Former Alabama and two-way G-League center Charles Bediako has been granted a temporary restraining order by the court, allowing for a retur...

JANUARY 21 • FOX SPORTS

Court Grants 2-Way G-League Player Temporary College Basketball Eligibility

Steady contributor for Bears Nnaji notched three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block across 17 minutes during Saturday's 77-55 loss to Houston.

Impact With various injuries happening in the Baylor frontcourt in 2025, Nnaji was a controversial mid-year addition at the semester break, and he's been playing meaningful minutes despite the Bears going 0-3 with him in the rotation. The 7-0 backup center has increased his rebounding total in each of the three games he's appeared in so far, culminating in a season-best total Saturday against a tough Houston frontcourt. Considering he's only attempted six shots in three games, Nnaji likely won't be on the fantasy radar, as his value comes mostly from a real-life and defensive perspective. His next chance to make an impact will be Tuesday at Oklahoma State.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

No. 3 Iowa State sets school record with 15-0 start after 70-60 win over Baylor

Joshua Jefferson had 19 points and 17 rebounds as third-ranked Iowa State won its 15th consecutive game to start the season, beating Baylor 70-60

JANUARY 8 • Associated Press

Deadspin | Could James Nnaji's debut come when Baylor visits TCU? Deadspin | Could James Nnaji's debut come when Baylor visits TCU?

JANUARY 3 • DEADSPIN.COM

John Calipari leads chorus of college coaches questioning James Nnaji's eligibility John Calipari is the leading voice in a chorus of college coaches wanting clearer rules and questioning James Nnaji's NCAA eligibility with...

JANUARY 2 • NEWS-JOURNALONLINE.COM

Kansas' Bill Self Reveals Thoughts on Eligibility Rule That Benefited Baylor Bill Self expressed his opinion on college basketball's shifting eligibility rules and indirectly referenced the recent commitment of James...

JANUARY 1 • SI.COM

What To Know About Former Pro Basketball Players Getting College Eligibility

Here's what to know about the recent surge of former NBA G League players and international pros joining college basketball.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

What To Know About Former Pro Basketball Players Getting College Eligibility

Targeting Saturday debut Nnaji is targeting Jan. 3 against TCU for his collegiate debut, according to a school spokesperson (via Adam Zagoria of NJ.com).

Impact The controversial midseason addition and former NBA Draft Pick announced his commitment to Baylor on Christmas Eve, and it appears his debut will arrive imminently. Nnaji, a 21-year-old freshman, may need a few games to get acclimated to the Baylor system, but his professional experience overseas likely means he'll make an immediate impact for the Bears, who are undersized at the five following multiple frontcourt injuries. Baylor will carry a 10-2 record into Big 12 play, and Nnaji's surprise arrival will tremendously improve the team's rest-of-season outlook.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Will James Nnaji play for Baylor basketball today? Baylor got an early Christmas present last week when 2023 NBA Draft pick James Nnaji committed and signed with the Bears. Nnaji was granted...

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • SI.COM

Deadspin | Baylor set to debut James Nnaji vs. Arlington Baptist after NCAA grants eligibility Deadspin | Baylor set to debut James Nnaji vs. Arlington Baptist after NCAA grants eligibility

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • DEADSPIN.COM

Tom Izzo blasts pros getting eligibility: 'Shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too' “I thought I’d seen the worst. Then Christmas came. It topped it. It just topped it." Tom Izzo said after NBA draft pick James Nnaji got eli...

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

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Kansas' Bidunga, Wake Forest's Harris, Saint Mary's Murauskas among players entering men's portal

'We're Going To Beat Them Anyways': Todd Golden Calls Out Bama, Charles Bediako

Court Grants 2-Way G-League Player Temporary College Basketball Eligibility

No. 3 Iowa State sets school record with 15-0 start after 70-60 win over Baylor

What To Know About Former Pro Basketball Players Getting College Eligibility