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James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA Draft pick, has been approved by the NCAA to commit to Baylor to play the second half of this season – an unprecedented move that shocked many in the basketball world.
Among those confused by Nnaji’s commitment was Arkansas coach John Calipari, who didn’t mince words when discussing the state of college basketball following the Razorbacks’ 103-74 win over James Madison on Monday.
Calipari, who won a national championship while coaching at Kentucky, went about seven minutes during the postgame press conference talking about today’s game after a reporter asked for his thoughts on Nnaji’s move.
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Head coach John Calipari of the Arkansas Razorbacks reacts during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the American Airlines Center on Dec. 13, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
“I have friends who play with 27-year-olds, and they feel bad, and I said, ‘Don’t feel bad. We don’t have rules. Why should you feel bad?’ Calipari said, via Awful Announcing. “But let me give you this. Real simple: the rules are the rules. So, if you put your name in the smart, I don’t care if you’re from Russia and you live in the draft, you can’t play college basketball. ‘Yeah, that’s only for American kids.’ What? If your name is on that draft, and you get drafted, you can’t play college because that’s our rule. ‘Yes, but that’s only for American children.’ OK. OK.”
Nnaji may have started a practice that Calipari, and possibly others, will not want to see if it succeeds.
LEGENDARY COLLEGE BASKETBALL COACH SUPPORTS NCAA AS NBA DRAFT PICK ALLOWED TO PLAY FOR SCHOOL.
Trentyn Flowers, currently in a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls after going undrafted in 2024, is reportedly attracting interest from the Michigan Wolverines. Flowers was a member of the National Basketball League as a member of the Next Stars program, playing for the Adelaide 36ers in Australia instead of going to college.
If Flowers is allowed to play anywhere in college basketball this season, the NCAA could face vitriol considering it could open a huge portal for young NBA players looking to start over.
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari looks on after the game against the Miami Hurricanes at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photos by Sam Navarro/Imagn)
“Does anyone care what this is doing to 17 and 18 year old American children?” Calipari asked in his monologue. “You know what this opportunity does for them and their families? There won’t be high school kids. Who, other than deaf people like me, will recruit high school kids? I get a lot of satisfaction from coaching young kids and seeing them grow and do it and their family’s lives change that I will continue to do it. But why someone else, GLeague players, 28-year-old guys, you can get GLeague players 28 years old, GLeague years 28 European boys – do we really know their birth certificates?
On Flowers’ issue, Calipari was not specific, saying the NCAA should stop allowing players to join programs in the middle of the season.
While he says he feels selfish about his proposals to the NCAA, Calipari also knows the rules are much different than anywhere else in college sports. He believes that some of his proposals, especially not allowing players to join programs in the middle of the season, can immediately benefit the game.
Head coach John Calipari of the Arkansas Razorbacks watches during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the American Airlines Center on Dec. 13, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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“We can do it without Congress and the Senate getting 60 votes,” Calipari added. “We can do that. Let them sue us for that.”
Calipari’s Razorbacks are currently ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25, while Arizona sits at No. 1 overall with a 13-0 record. Arkansas is 10-3 on the season.
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