The player who was once part of theKarl Anthony-Townstrade to theNew York Knicksmade hiscollege basketballdebut to boos on Saturday, Jan. 3.
James Nnajidebuted for theBaylormen's basketball in its Big 12 opener. The 7-foot center – who was a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft – had five points, four rebounds, two turnovers and picked up four fouls in 16 minutes a 69-63 loss to TCU.
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After Nnaji entered the game, he was booed and then was booed subauenrly every time he touched the ball. His first points came on a putback dunk with about nine minutes left in the first half.
James Nnaji is officially the first person to score points in a college basketball game after already being drafted in the NBApic.twitter.com/UjI0H9wEop
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent)January 3, 2026
"James did nothing wrong," Baylor coach Scott Drew said after the game. "Baylor did nothing wrong, and I know he's human and just making sure he doesn't feel that. If James was an NBA player today, he would be in the NBA."
Nnaji played four seasons professionally in Europe before theDetroit Pistonsdrafted him No. 31 overall as an 18-year-old in the 2023 NBA Draft. Since then, Nnaji's draft rights have been traded twice, but he has never signed an NBA contract.
Because he never attended an American college, Nnaji has four years of eligibility remaining.
"James is a great young man," Drew said. "Grew up playing piano in the church. Mom's most excited about his opportunity to get a degree. Brother's a mechanical engineer. Sister's trying to get a master's. I thought he did a great job in a short period of time. He hadn't played a competitive game in seven months, been recovering from an injury."
Magic Johnson college dominance: Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.
NBA: 5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Carmelo Anthony college dominance: In his lone season (2003), led Syracuse to a national championship and earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. Averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game as a freshman.NBA: 10× NBA All-Star. 2012–13 NBA scoring champion, averaging 28.7 points per game." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Before NBA glory: How Jordan, Bird, Magic and Curry ruled in college
Magic Johnsoncollege dominance:Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.NBA:5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:James Nnaji makes controversial collegiate debut for Baylor vs TCU
