Nnaji’s Baptism by Fire: Baylor’s Freshman Big Man Thrown into the Lion’s Den at TCU

FORT WORTH — The Noise Started Early

James Nnaji had been on campus 97 days when the chartered bus rolled down University Drive. Inside Schollmaier Arena, purple-clad students were already chanting the freshman’s name—only they twisted the syllables into something that sounded like a curse. Welcome to Big 12 basketball, kid.

Tip-off, and the Boo-birds Arrive on Cue

At 8:17 p.m., the public-address announcer introduced Baylor’s starting five. When Nnaji’s 6-foot-10 frame emerged from the tunnel, the decibel meter jumped to 102—louder than a passing freight train. TCU students waved cardboard cutouts of his face, eyes X-ed out in Sharpie. The Frogs had lost three straight; tormenting the heralded rookie felt like therapy.

“I smiled,” Nnaji said afterward, voice hoarse. “If they’re yelling at you, it means you matter.”

First Possession: A Block, a Bruise, a Lesson

Twenty-one seconds in, Nnaji rotated over from the weak side and swatted Eddie Lampkin’s hook into the third row. The roar turned to groans. On the ensuing in-bounds, TCU sent two bodies at the freshman, bumping him off the block, forcing a travel. The lesson arrived before the first media timeout: every highlight carries a tax.

The Numbers That Mattered

• 12 minutes—his longest stretch of competitive game action since a November exhibition.
• 6 points—all on put-backs, including a two-handed follow that cut TCU’s lead to 45-43.
• 4 fouls—two on reach-ins, one moving screen, one loose-ball push.
• 1 reboundover 6-9 wing Micah Peavy that drew a whistle and a wink from referee Marques Pettigrew.

The Turning Point: A 12-0 TCU Run

With 11:04 left, Nnaji checked back in and Baylor down one. Over the next 3:42, TCU’s pace turned blistering. Chuck O’Bannon buried a transition three. JaKobe Coles spun baseline for an and-1. Nnaji tried to stem the tide, but his kick-out pass was tipped, leading to another fast-break dunk. The Frogs’ lead ballooned to 13; the student section broke into a chorus of “Over-rated.”

Post-game: Ice, Reflection, Resolve

In a quiet hallway outside the visitors’ locker room, Nnaji balanced a bag of ice on his right wrist. He stared at the stat sheet like it owed him money.

“I missed two box-outs that cost us four points. Can’t do that and expect to win in this league,” he said. “But I’ll watch film, lift tomorrow, and be better Tuesday. That’s the job.”

Head coach Scott Drew walked past, squeezed the rookie’s shoulder. “Growth hurts,” Drew said. “Keep showing up.”

What’s Next for Baylor and Nnaji

The Bears return to Waco for a Saturday date with Kansas State, where Nnaji will likely face 7-footer Jason Ivey. Tip is 3 p.m. on ESPN+. The boo-birds won’t follow him home, but the memory of this night will. In the Big 12, the only antidote to a baptism by fire is another log on the blaze.