)
James Nnaji is a doubt for the Charlotte Hornets summer league team and could stay back at Barcelona.
Nigerian professional basketball player James Nnaji may have his NBA dream delayed for another season.
The Charlotte Hornets made a draft-day trade on June 23 to obtain James Nnaji by swapping their 34th and 39th picks.
Nnaji, who is only 18 years old and first became well-known thanks to his efforts for Barcelona last season, possesses NBA-caliber athleticism but is still an exceptionally undeveloped big-man prospect.
Fans of the Hornets, though, might not have the chance to watch their young potential play this summer.
)
James Nnaji and Charlotte Hornets could agree return to Barcelona
Recently, James Plowright of Sports Illustrated spoke with the play-by-play announcer for Barcelona, Gerard Solé, on Nnaji's near future.
Solé said, “What I was told is that he’s not thinking right now 100% to leave Barcelona. He’s evaluating his situation with his agent.
“It’s not guaranteed that he’ll play in the Summer League, but he wants to play, and Barcelona will probably allow him to play.”
After making moves to acquire Nnaji in the NBA Draft, the Hornets will likely want to get a closer look at their new big man prospect, which would entail him making the trip to Las Vegas this summer.
There’s no guarantee that Nnaji will join the Hornets roster this year, as he could stay in Spain to continue developing in one of the best leagues in Europe.
The Hornets coaching staff will begin an assessment of his current talent level and what he needs to improve on before moving across the Atlantic.
Nnaji played for Barcelona in the Liga ACB in 27 regular-season games last year, averaging 4.9 points and 3 rebounds.
)
During EuroLeague play, the dynamic big man appeared on the court 15 times and registered an average of 1.2 rebounds and 2 points.
The Hornets will have team control over one of Europe's top big man prospects by allowing Nnaji to grow in Europe.
It's just a matter of honing Nnaji's game and expanding his skill set because he already possesses the physical tools required to succeed at the NBA level.
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.
)
12:00 - 24.06.2023
7 players of African descent selected in the 2023 NBA Draft
Meet the 7 players of African descent that will now play in the NBA.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)