How a Former NBA Player Made Baylor Basketball Worse

In December 2025, Baylor basketball was gearing up to head into the most difficult conference slate the program had ever seen. Sitting at an 8-2 record heading into the Christmasbreak,the Bearsknew if they were to keep their winning ways up, some holes needed to be filled.

Rumors had been circling the team concerning themid-seasonaddition of alob-threat and defensive anchor that could fill the hole ofJuslinBodoBodo, who suffered a season ending injury.Mid-season additions that are eligible to playimmediatelyas well asvaluable enough to make a true impact are rare.

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Then Baylorsigned2023NBA draft second round pickJames Nnaji.

Nnaji, a 7’1″ center labeled as a defensive monster and rim runner, checked off one of thecrucial boxes needed for a mid-season addition. Nnaji wasimmediatelyeligible to join the Bears ahead of conference play. Unfortunately, he was not categorized asadirectlyvaluableon-court presencefor the Bears.

Nnaji donned a Baylor jersey for the first time on January 3rdagainst TCU. The center’s Big 12 debut was welcomed with boos and jeers aplenty fromthe Fort Worth crowd asNnaji’s untraditional route to the sport quickly made him a villainon the court.

Mar 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears center James Nnaji scores a basket against the Utah Utes during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Baylor fans welcomed the controversyofsigning an NBA draft pickout of belief that a player who had heldVictor Wembanyama to 2-13from the floorinan NBAsummer leaguewould be a starat the college level.

Nnaji’s struggles in a green and gold

The Nigerian’stime in Waco did not alas reward the blind faith of Baylor fans.

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In his first game in a Baylor uniform, Nnaji had 5 points and 4 rebounds in 16 minutes in a69-63 loss. That was his best stat line of the season.

Throughout the first half of conference play, head coach Scott Drew repeatedly tried to give Nnaji…

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Publish date : 2026-07-03 00:57:00

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