The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has issued a clarification on its eligibility rules for players with NBA contracts, following a significant controversy sparked by Baylor University's recent signing. The move comes after the Baylor Bears announced the midseason addition of James Nnaji, a 7-foot Nigerian centre who was selected in the 2023 NBA draft.
The Baylor Signing That Sparked a Row
Baylor revealed on Christmas Eve that they had signed James Nnaji, who could make his debut for the team in their Big 12 conference opener against TCU this Saturday. Nnaji, aged 21, was the 31st overall pick by the Detroit Pistons two and a half years ago. His draft rights have since been traded to the Boston Celtics, then the Charlotte Hornets, and most recently to the New York Knicks in October 2024.
Despite being drafted, Nnaji has never been on an official NBA roster. He was playing professionally in Europe before the draft and was only 18 when selected. His arrival at Baylor, however, prompted immediate criticism from coaches across US college basketball, who questioned the integrity of the rules.
NCAA's Statement and the 'Disadvantage' Dilemma
In response to the growing backlash, the NCAA stated on Tuesday that it would not grant eligibility to any student-athlete who had signed a standard NBA contract or a two-way deal involving the NBA's G League. However, the association indicated this would not automatically apply to players from the G League without NBA deals, or from other professional leagues in the US and abroad.
NCAA President Charlie Baker explained the nuanced position in an official statement. "As schools are increasingly recruiting individuals with international league experience, the NCAA is exercising discretion... to ensure that prospective student-athletes with experience in American basketball leagues are not at a disadvantage compared to their international counterparts," Baker said. He added that rules have long allowed schools to enrol and play individuals with no prior collegiate experience midyear.
Coaches Clash Over Rule Interpretation
The clarification has done little to settle the debate among leading coaches. Arkansas coach John Calipari voiced strong objections, arguing that the rule should clearly disqualify any player who was drafted by an NBA team, regardless of their nationality. "If you put your name in the draft – I don't care if you're from Russia – and you stay in the draft, you can't play college basketball," Calipari stated. "Well, that's only for American kids. What? If your name is in that draft and you got drafted, you can't play, because that's our rule. But that's only for American kids. OK."
Baylor's coach, Scott Drew, defended the signing by pointing to other undrafted international players currently competing in college basketball. He also cited the shifting landscape, where players can now earn money through Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals and teams recruit from the G League. "Until we get to collective bargaining, I don't think we can come up with rules that are agreeable or enforceable," Drew argued, emphasising the need for programmes to adapt to remain competitive.
Baker's statement also highlighted the legal challenges complicating the NCAA's enforcement, referencing court rulings that have hindered its ability to apply long-standing eligibility standards. He described recent nationwide injunctions as "wildly destabilising" and pledged to work with Division I leaders to protect the sport from "misguided attempts to destroy this American institution." The controversy underscores the ongoing tension in college sports as traditional amateurism rules collide with a modern, professionalised landscape.
