It appears Baylor’s men’s basketball team is making a large midseason acquisition.

7-foot center James Nnaji from Nigeria, the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, has committed to Baylor and will play the second half of the season with the Bears, On3’s Joe Tipton reported Wednesday. He’s been granted four years of eligibility, according to Tipton’s report.

Nnaji played with the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA summer league in 2023. He never agreed to an NBA deal with the Hornets and his draft rights were traded to the New York Knicks in 2024 as a part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. He also played with the Knicks’ summer league team this year.

Nnaji, 21, has played professionally overseas, which included a stint with FC Barcelona in the Spanish Liga ACB and in the EuroLeague. FC Barcelona released Nnaji in August.

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