Outgoing Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan picks 18-year-old Nigerian James Nnaji from Makurdi with the 31st pick.
Nigerian professional basketball player James Nnaji is now being Drafted into the NBA.
The 18-year-old will start his NBA career with Eastern Conference powerhouse team the Charlotte Hornets.
Nnaji joins the Charlotte Hornets from Spanish ACB side Barcelona Basketball.
James Nnaji joins Charlotte Hornets
Nnaji was selected by NBA legend Michael Jordan, who is the outgoing owner of the Charlotte Hornets.
12:00 - 22.06.2023
James Nnaji: Barcelona react as Real Madrid fans racially abuse Nigerian star
See what Barcelona has to say about the racist abuse suffered by James Nnaji by Real Madrid fans.
Nnaji was chosen by the Celtics in the third round of the 2023 NBA Draft, however he was soon traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
Considering that Nnaji won't turn 19 until August, he is a project for the future.
Nnaji, a rookie center from Nigeria who is 18 years old, was originally taken by the Detroit Pistons with the No. 31 pick.
The Hornets acquired him by sending the Nos. 34 and 39 picks to the Boston Celtics.
Nnaji, a 6-foot-11 center with a huge 7-foot-5 wingspan, didn't get much action for FC Barcelona last season, but he still showed his athleticism and touch around the basket.
Nnaji will probably spend some time in the G League in the beginning because Mark Williams and Nick Richards are under contract with Charlotte.
Nnaji gets drafted after he was racially abused by Real Madrid fans on his way to help Barcelona win the Spanish ACB title.
Related content
04:00 - 08.05.2023
James Nnaji goes crazy as Barcelona blowout Fuenlabrada
18-year-old James Nnaji has a monster game as Barcelona beat Fuenlabrada.
17:30 - 23.04.2023
ACB James Nnaji continues good form as Barcelona beat Gran Canaria
18-year-old James Nnaji continues to help Barcelona in their title race.
03:45 - 20.04.2023
ACB James Nnaji comes up big for Barcelona against Granada
Barcelona needed 18-year-old James Nanji to have a monster performance against Granada.
22:00 - 16.04.2023
ACB James Nnaji shines as Barcelona beat Real Madrid in El Clásico
18-year-old James Nnaji came off the bench to spark Barcelona to victory in El Clásico against Real Madrid
20:40 - 12.03.2023
ACB James Nnaji returns as Barcelona ends 3-game losing streak against Manresa
18-year-old James Nnaji returns to action for Barcelona against Manresa
20:30 - 10.06.2023
Nigerian and Barcelona star James Nnaji gets ready for NBA with Serge Ibaka
Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, Nigerian and Barcelona 18-year-old James Nnaji worked out Serge Ibaka.
07:30 - 12.06.2023
James Nnaji helps Barcelona beat Unicaja Malaga to tie series
James Nnaji produces monster performance as Barcelona 1 win away for ACB final, tie series against Unicaja.
09:30 - 25.05.2023
ACB James Nnaji shines as Barcelona books playoff spot against Valencia
18-year-old James Nnaji was in action as Barcelona secured a playoff spot against Valencia.
23:00 - 21.05.2023
EUROLEAGUE Real Madrid beat Olympiacos to win 11th European title
Real Madrid are champions of Europe once again after beating Olympiacos.
22:30 - 21.05.2023
Vinicius Jnr: Neymar, Ferdinand, Ancelotti react to racism in La Liga
After Vinicius Jnr was abused, Neymar, Ferdinand, Ancelotti brand La Liga racist.
17:05 - 22.05.2023
Real Madrid President Florentino Perez meets with Vinicius Junior after racism incident
Vinicius Junior has the support of Real Madrid on racism incident after meeting with President Florentino Perez.
07:30 - 21.06.2023
James Nnaji: Real Madrid fans racially abuse 18-year-old Nigerian star
In another racist incident like Vinicius Jr, 18-year-old Nigerian star James Nnaji, who plays for Barcelona, suffered racial abuse from Real Madrid fans.
07:00 - 21.06.2023
James Nnaji helps Barcelona sweep Real Madrid for Spanish crown
18-year-old Nigerian James Nnaji gets ready for the NBA Draft by helping Barcelona record their 20th Spanish crown by sweeping Real Madrid.
12:00 - 22.06.2023
James Nnaji: Barcelona react as Real Madrid fans racially abuse Nigerian star
See what Barcelona has to say about the racist abuse suffered by James Nnaji by Real Madrid fans.