James Nnaji
_by_Sandro_Halank%E2%80%93037.jpg) | |
| No. 23 – FC Barcelona | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | Liga ACB EuroLeague |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 14 August 2004 Makurdi, Nigeria |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA draft | 2023: 2nd round, 31st overall pick |
| Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |
| Playing career | 2019–present |
| Career history | |
| 2019–2020 | Rátgéber Akadémia |
| 2020–present | FC Barcelona |
| 2020–2021 | →FC Barcelona B |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
James Nnaji (/ˈnɑːdʒi/ NAH-jee; born 14 August 2004) is a Nigerian professional basketball player for FC Barcelona of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, but his rights were subsequently traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
Early life and youth career[edit]
Nnaji grew up in Makurdi, Nigeria where he started playing basketball. He is from the middle belt (central) region of Nigeria. In 2018, Nnaji moved to Ratgeber Basketball Academy in Hungary.[1]
Professional career[edit]
Nnaji started his career with Rátgéber Akadémia, a team in the Hungarian league. He moved from Hungary to Barcelona in 2020, joining FC Barcelona B in 2020. From there, he would move up to the A team of FC Barcelona in 2021, making thirteen appearances in the 2021–22 season.[1]
Nnaji declared for the 2023 NBA draft, where he was ranked as the 24th-best prospect in the ESPN Top 100.[2] On June 22, 2023, Nnaji was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, which then traded him to the Charlotte Hornets.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Barcelona locks up teenage center Nnaji". euroleaguebasketball.net. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ Givony, Jonathan (20 April 2023). "EuroLeague prospect James Nnaji, 18, submits paperwork to enter NBA draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ Yeager, Jon (22 June 2023). "BREAKING: Hornets Draft James Nnaji". SI.com. Retrieved 22 June 2023.