Overview
- Bayor confirmed that James Nnaji, the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has been cleared to play immediately with four years of eligibility remaining.
- Michigan State coach Tom Izzo called the decision “shame on the NCAA,” warning it could displace current players and drive veteran coaches from the sport.
- Nnaji played professionally in Europe and appeared in Knicks Summer League games, but he never signed an NBA rookie deal, which the NCAA treated as preserving college eligibility.
- UConn coach Dan Hurley reacted on social media to the midseason addition, reflecting broader disapproval among coaches, media and fans.
- Attorneys challenging NCAA eligibility policies cited the Nnaji ruling in a recent court filing, underscoring the decision’s growing legal and policy stakes.