The choice by Baylor College to enroll former Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (NBA) draft, James Nnaji into their collegiate squad has been declared as legally binding by the group’s coach, Scott Drew.
Whereas many opponents and NBA zealots insist Nnaji shouldn’t be cleared for collegiate video games, contemplating that he has performed on the highest stage up to now, Drew insists the Nigerian-born lad by no means signed an expert contract.
Sports247 recollects that Michigan State coach, Tom Izzo rejected the deal when Baylor formally introduced their signing of Nnaji, who was thirty first general choose within the 2023 NBA Draft.
The 21-year-old Nnaji, a 7-foot centre, was granted quick eligibility as a mid-season addition and can have 4 years of eligibility remaining, contemplating that he by no means really performed within the NBA or the developmental G-League.
Nonetheless, Izzo identified that Nnaji did seem in 5 NBA Summer season League Video games for New York Knicks in July and performed professionally abroad final season.
He was additionally a part of a three-team commerce that shipped Karl-Anthony Cities to The Knicks for Julius Randle to Minnesota Timberwolves in October 2024.
Regardless of these info, Drew countered that NCAA guidelines permit basketball gamers to make a case for faculty eligibility in the event that they keep novice standing 5 years or much less faraway from highschool commencement.
He additional identified that NCAA permits the registration of gamers who’re out of highschool, didn’t enter the NBA Draft or by no means signed any contract with an expert group regardless of exhibiting an intention to take action.
Nnaji’s gaffer added: “Most coaches are 99% aligned on issues that we wish to see carried out with our sport.
“Till we get to collective bargaining, I don’t suppose we will provide you with guidelines which might be agreeably enforceable. I feel all of us received to be prepared to regulate and adapt to what’s on the market.”
