It’s common for players to announce they are heading to the pros from college — not the other way around.

But a recent report in basketball has fans baffled, as Nigerian center James Nnaji, the 31st overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, has committed to play at Baylor.

The 7-foot center will be able to play the second half of the Bears’ season, according to On3 Sports, as well as being granted four years of NCAA eligibility.

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How is this possible for someone who not only declared for the NBA Draft, but was taken in the first round in 2023?

Well, Nnaji never signed an NBA contract. When he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons, Nnaji had his rights moved to the Charlotte Hornets. Then, in the Karl-Anthony Towns three-team deal, his rights moved to the New York Knicks.

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Nnaji never appeared in a regular-season NBA game, but instead decided to go overseas to continue his pro career. He played for FC Barcelona in Liga ACB in Spain. They mutually parted ways in August.

Then, Nnaji returned to the Knicks to play in the Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds over five games.

With the Bears being hurt in the front court — Maikcol Perez and Justin Bodo Bodo are both dealing with injuries — Nnaji will come in and should play significant minutes for Scott Drew’s team at Baylor.

Nnaji was just 18 years old when he was drafted and teams really liked his measurables with the hopes of developing his talent in the league.

"Nnaji’s measurable in terms of his size and length are impressive and he’s a big leaper who can finish above the rim, though he does present as something of a project for the Hornets," CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone wrote about Nnaji when he was taken in 2023.

Baylor is currently 9-2 to start the 2025-26 season.

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The Pentagon is deploying 350 National Guard troops in New Orleans through Mardi Gras in an effort to curb crime in the city.

The troops will support federal authorities, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, as they enforce federal law and help counter high rates of violent crime in New Orleans and other metropolitan areas in Louisiana, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Tuesday.

"Operating under Governor Landry’s command and control, this mission will directly enhance the safety of Louisiana’s residents and the enforcement of federal laws, reaffirming the Department of Defense’s commitment to supporting our interagency partners and the safety and security of our nation," he said.

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The soldiers will remain in the city through Feb. 28 and will assist with security in the French Quarter for New Year’s Eve, the Sugar Bowl, and Mardi Gras events, Fox 8 Live reported.

"We know how to make cities safe, and the National Guard complements cities that are experiencing high crime," Landry said during an appearance on The Will Cain Show. "Look at what the president has done in Washington, D.C. When he wanted to send the National Guard into Washington, D.C., Louisiana was one of the first to raise its hand and say our troops will go there and help. And the city is so much better."

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National Guard members currently serving in Washington, D.C., are expected to return to Louisiana, the news outlet reported.

"Our Louisiana National Guardsmen are highly trained professionals. Many of them supported law enforcement efforts in Washington, D.C., and are ready to support our home state," Maj. Gen. Friloux, the adjutant general of Louisiana, told Fox 8 Live. "We’ve mobilized multiple times this year to support efforts in New Orleans and are ready to do so again for the next two months."

Fox News Digital has reached out to the office of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the Louisiana National Guard.

New Orleans had 97 murders as of Nov. 1. In September, Landry asked President Donald Trump to deploy National Guard troops to Louisiana amid concerns about crime.

In early 2025, a U.S. Army veteran driving a pickup truck bearing the flag of the Islamic State group slammed into New Year’s revelers before being shot and killed by police.