James Nnaji
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_by_Sandro_Halank–037.jpg) Nnaji with FC Barcelona in 2022 | |
| No. 46 – Baylor Bears | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | Big 12 Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 14 August 2004 Makurdi, Nigeria |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Baylor (2026–present) |
| NBA draft | 2023: 2nd round, 31st overall pick |
| Drafted by | Detroit Pistons |
| Playing career | 2019–present |
| Career history | |
| 2019–2020 | Rátgéber Akadémia |
| 2020–2025 | FC Barcelona |
| 2020–2021 | →FC Barcelona B |
| 2024–2025 | →Girona |
| 2025 | →Merkezefendi |
| Career highlights | |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
James Ugochukwu Nnaji (/ˈnɑːdʒi/ NAH-jee ⓘ[1]; born 14 August 2004) is a Nigerian college basketball player for the Baylor Bears of the Big 12 Conference. He was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, but his rights were traded to the Charlotte Hornets and later the New York Knicks.
College career
On December 24, 2025, Nnaji enrolled to play in the Big 12 Conference for the Baylor Bears.[3]
Professional career
Rátgéber Akadémia
Nnaji started his career with Rátgéber Akadémia, a team in the Hungarian league.[4]
FC Barcelona (2020–2025)
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.[2]
On 4 August 2024, Nnaji was loaned to Girona of the Spanish Liga ACB.[5] Nnaji's spell at Girona ended in March 2025 after a mutual agreement between the club and the player.[6] On 28 March, FC Barcelona announced Nnaji would spend the remainder of the season on loan at Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli of the Basketbol Süper Ligi.[7]
On 18 July 2025, Nnaji confirmed during an NBA Summer League interview that he and Barcelona would be mutually opting out of the two remaining years of their contract. Barcelona officially announced it was parting ways with Nnaji on 1 August.[8]
NBA rights
Nnaji declared for the 2023 NBA draft, where he was ranked as the 24th-best prospect in the ESPN Top 100.[9] On 22 June 2023, Nnaji was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, who then traded him to the Charlotte Hornets.[10] In 2024, his rights were traded to the New York Knicks along with Karl-Anthony Towns as a part of a 3-team trade.[11]
