Overview
- James Nnaji, the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft who played overseas but never signed an NBA deal or appeared in NBA/G League games, was cleared to join Baylor with four years of eligibility.
- John Calipari delivered a seven‑minute critique, urging one penalty‑free transfer with a sit‑out year for additional moves, roster lock once the season starts, and a five‑years‑to‑play‑four model with a bonus year only for players who stay at one school.
- Calipari and others warned that midseason additions and older former pros reduce opportunities for 17‑ and 18‑year‑old high‑school recruits and destabilize rosters and development.
- UConn’s Dan Hurley called for a commissioner to set uniform rules, saying he initially thought the Nnaji decision was a joke and cautioning against college basketball morphing into a G League equivalent.
- Bruce Pearl backed Tom Izzo’s broader criticism, arguing decisions are driven by lawsuit avoidance and urging either collective bargaining or congressional antitrust protections, as recent cases like Thierry Darlan and London Johnson — and reported interest in Trentyn Flowers — highlight a widening pro‑to‑college pipeline.