Baylor's Scott Drew defends James Nnaji signing amid criticism - ESPN

Baylor coach Scott Drew addressed criticism of the recent signing of former NBA draft pick James Nnaji, saying Sunday that he's merely adapting to the current climate of college basketball in order to put the Bears in position to be successful.

On Christmas Eve, Baylor announced the signing of Nnaji, who was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft but never played an NBA game after being selected by the Detroit Pistons and having his rights traded to Charlotte and later the New York Knicks. Nnaji 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 marks the first former NBA draft pick to be cleared to play in college on the men's side.

Drew referenced the fact that multiple international players who went through the NBA draft process but were ultimately not selected are playing college basketball this season, as is Kansas State women's basketball player Nastja Claessens, who was picked in the 2024 WNBA draft.

«I just know they told us he can play, so I'm happy,» Drew said.

In the days following Nnaji's signing, coaches spoke out against the idea of former NBA draft picks — and potentially, NBA players on nonguaranteed contracts — coming back to college basketball, particularly in the middle of the season.

UConn coach Dan Hurley posted on X on Christmas Eve: «Santa Claus is delivering mid season acquisitions...this s*** is crazy!!»

«It's wild out there right now,» Gonzaga coach Mark Few told reporters Sunday. «We really don't have any organizational or any real rules right now. I