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Jeff Borzello
boiler Coach Scott Drew addressed criticism of the recent signing of former NBA draft pick James Nnaji, saying on Sunday that he is simply adapting to the current environment of college basketball to put the Bears in a position to succeed.
On Christmas Eve, Baylor announced the signing of Nnaji, who was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft but who never played an NBA game after being selected. detroit pistons and his rights are being traded charlotte and later new York KnicksNnaji had been in the FC Barcelona organization since 2020, spending time on loan at two different clubs, while also making 51 EuroLeague appearances for Barcelona,
While two G League players– Thierry Darlan ,Santa Clara) and London Johnson (louisville) – Committed to colleges in the fall, Nnaji is the first former NBA draft pick to be cleared to play in college on the men’s side.
Drew cited the fact that many international players who went through the NBA draft process but ultimately were not selected are playing college basketball this season, as kansas state female basketball player Nastja ClaessensWho was selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
“I just know they told us he could play, so I’m happy,” Drew said.
In the days following Nnaji’s signing, coaches spoke out against the idea of former NBA draft selections – and potentially, NBA players on non-guaranteed contracts – coming back to college basketball, especially in the middle of the season.
Yukon Coach Dan Hurley posted on X on Christmas Eve: “Santa Claus is offering mid-season acquisitions…this shit is crazy!!”
“It’s a wild environment out there right now,” gonzaga coach Mark Few told reporters on Sunday. “Right now we don’t really have any organizational or any real rules. I think people are just trying to do what they can. Unless there’s a rule that says you can’t do it, it’s hard to blame anyone for what they’re doing. Our lack of leadership really shows.”
michigan state Coach Tom Izzo, who has been vocal about the expanded player pool in college basketball, said Saturday that he wanted to talk to Drew about adding Nanaji.
“I’m a little surprised,” Izzo told reporters. “I got a call from Scott. I’m curious to see what he says to me. I’m not saying we’re holier than thou or that nobody should do this or that, but if we’re drowning in that, if it’s like I’m reading or hearing… And now we’re taking guys who were drafted into the NBA. If we’re going to do that, shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA. Because coach I think they’re going to do what they have to do.”
Drew said Sunday that he spoke to Izzo and defended his decision to sign Nnaji.
“Coach Izzo and I are friends. I have a lot of respect for him. Great conversation,” Drew told reporters. “As he said, most coaches are in 99% agreement on the things we want to see accomplished with our game. Also, to the best of my knowledge, until we do collective bargaining, I don’t think we can come up with rules that are acceptable or enforceable. Until then, I think we’re all going to have to adjust and adapt to what’s out there.
“In the beginning, when it first came up with the G League players, I wasn’t in favor of it either. But again, we don’t make the rules and as we learn about things, we always adapt to put our program in the best position to be successful, because that’s what we get paid to do.”
A 7-foot center with impressive physical tools, Nnaji didn’t get his start at Baylor. win 124-61 Monday against Arlington Baptist. He did not arrive in Waco until Sunday evening and was scheduled to undergo a physical examination on Monday.
Baylor begins Big 12 play TCU on Saturday before hosting iowa state On 7th January.
“He’s going to have to learn offensively, defensively as soon as we get him everything clear,” Drew said. “He can’t play unless he knows what he’s doing out there. … How fast, it depends on how quickly he picks things up. It would be great to have an eight-man rotation at some point.”
The news of grandfather’s arrival is in the center Jaslin Bodo Bodo I will not be able to play the rest of the season due to a hand injury I sustained during the summer. with Omaha transfer jj white Nanaji, who has been out since November 24 with a foot injury, will be needed to provide depth.
“We know it will take time,” Drew said. “His physicality and size. He knows what his strengths are and seems like he wants to play with them. … He’ll fit in with the guys. He’ll fit in with our culture. The quicker he can learn and adapt to our style of play, the more we can keep him out there. He’ll be a much better player at the end of the year than he was the first few weeks.”
