Drew said the Bears on Sunday are embracing the modern era of college basketball while prioritizing what’s best for their program. Baylor signed Nnaji, a 21-year-old 7-footer from Nigeria, on Christmas Eve. Despite Nnaji being the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the NCAA granted him four years of collegiate eligibility because he had never appeared in an NBA or G League game.
“We’re going to adapt to put our program in the best position to be successful because that’s what we’re paid to do,” Drew said.
Prominent coaches around college basketball, including Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, Gonzaga’s Mark Few and UConn’s Dan Hurley, criticized the move and the lack of NCAA rules surrounding roster additions. Hurley posted on X“this s- is crazy!!” after Nnaji’s commitment, and reposted a message that read, “College Basketball should be for (high school) kids and (junior college) kids moving up, not a step back for professional players.”
“If that’s what we’re going to do, shame on the NCAA,” Izzo said. “Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA, because coaches will do what they have to do, I guess. But the NCAA is the one. Those people on those committees that make those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think about the kid.”
Drew said he spoke with Izzo about his decision to add Nnaji and called it a “great conversation.”
“As (Izzo) said, most coaches are 99 percent in agreement on the things we would like to see done with our game. At the same time, as far as I know, until we get to collective bargaining, I don’t think we can come up with rules that are agreeable or enforceable. Until then, I think we all have to be willing to adapt and adapt to what’s there,” Drew said.
The NCAA has allowed other players to join college programs after playing professionally, including Santa Clara guard Thierry Darlan, who had two years of eligibility after spending two years in the G League. He was the first professional athlete to qualify for the NCAA. Louisville guard London Johnson played professionally for several seasons – with the G League Ignite, Maine Celtics and the Cleveland Charge – before signing with the Cardinals. Izzo previously called Johnson’s eligibility decision “ridiculous” and “embarrassing.”
Drew said Sunday that he was previously opposed to making G League players eligible under NCAA rules, but also that he is adapting to put Baylor in the best position possible. The Bears coach said he was not fully aware of the intricacies behind Nnaji’s eligibility decision, noting that several international players are playing college basketball this season. Kansas State women’s basketball forward Nastja Claessens, who was selected 30th overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, is competing for the Wildcats this season.
“We don’t make the rules,” Drew said. “I just know they told us he could play, so I’m happy.”
Nnaji did not play in Baylor’s 124-61 win over Arlington Baptist on Monday, but Drew said he hopes the forward can play against TCU in the team’s Big 12 opener on Jan. 3. The Bears are 10-2 this season.
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