James Nnaji

Basketball Player

Birthday

August 14, 2004

Age

22 years old

Zodiac

♌︎ Leo

Birthplace

MakurdiNigeria

Height

213 cm · 7′0″

Weight

113 kg · 249 lbs

James Nnaji, also known as James Ugochukwu Nnaji, is a Nigerian basketball player who plays center. He developed professionally in Hungary and Spain, became a Liga ACB champion with FC Barcelona, and was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA draft. After several seasons in European basketball, he began a college career with Baylor before transferring to George Mason.

Early life and youth career

Nnaji grew up in Makurdi, Nigeria, where he began playing basketball. In 2018, he moved to Hungary to join Rátgéber Basketball Academy, also referred to as Pecsi VSK in career biographies.

His early development led to a move into European professional basketball. He began his senior career with Rátgéber Akadémia before joining FC Barcelona in 2020.

FC Barcelona (2020-2025)

Nnaji joined FC Barcelona B in 2020 and moved up to Barcelona's senior team in 2021. He made 13 appearances during the 2021-22 season and competed in both the Liga ACB and EuroLeague. Barcelona won the Liga ACB championship in 2023.

In August 2024, Barcelona loaned him to Girona. That spell ended in March 2025 through a mutual agreement between Girona and Nnaji. Barcelona then loaned him to Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli in Turkey for the remainder of the season. In July 2025, Nnaji said that he and Barcelona would opt out of the final two years of their contract, and the club announced their separation in August.

NBA rights

Nnaji declared for the 2023 NBA draft and was ranked 24th in the ESPN Top 100. The Detroit Pistons selected him 31st overall in the second round on June 22, 2023, then traded his draft rights to the Charlotte Hornets.

In 2024, the rights were included in a three-team trade that sent them to the New York Knicks along with Karl-Anthony Towns. Nnaji played in six summer-league games for Charlotte in 2023 and five more for the Knicks the following summer. Across those 11 games, he averaged 15.4 minutes, 3.5 points, and 5.1 rebounds.

College career

Nnaji enrolled at Baylor in December 2025 after spending four seasons playing professionally in Europe. Baylor coach Scott Drew and general manager Jason Smith worked with the NCAA on his addition after injuries reduced the team's frontcourt depth. Nnaji was granted four years of college basketball eligibility.

He made his Baylor debut at TCU on January 3, 2026, recording five points and four rebounds, with his first collegiate basket coming on a slam dunk. His Baylor roster biography credits him with a season high of seven rebounds against Houston and seven points in 18 minutes against Louisville. He transferred to George Mason in July 2026.

Quick facts

Nnaji moved from Nigeria to Hungary in 2018 to continue his basketball development.
He joined FC Barcelona B in 2020 and moved to Barcelona's senior team in 2021.
Barcelona won the Liga ACB championship in 2023.
Nnaji was ranked 24th in the ESPN Top 100 before the 2023 NBA draft.
The Detroit Pistons selected Nnaji 31st overall in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft.
His NBA draft rights were later traded from Detroit to Charlotte and then to the New York Knicks.
Nnaji played in 11 NBA summer-league games for Charlotte and New York, averaging 3.5 points and 5.1 rebounds across those games.
Barcelona loaned Nnaji to Girona in August 2024, and the arrangement ended by mutual agreement in March 2025.
Nnaji was granted four years of college basketball eligibility after joining Baylor despite his professional and draft history.
He made his Baylor debut at TCU with five points and four rebounds, scoring his first collegiate basket on a slam dunk.
Nnaji recorded seven rebounds against Houston during his Baylor season.
He transferred from Baylor to George Mason in July 2026.

FAQs about James Nnaji

How old is James Nnaji?

James Nnaji was born on August 14, 2004.

What happened to James Nnaji?

After playing for FC Barcelona, Girona, and Merkezefendi, Nnaji and Barcelona ended their contract relationship in 2025. He then began a college career at Baylor and later transferred to George Mason.

Why is James Nnaji allowed to play in college?

Nnaji was eligible under NCAA rules for an incoming freshman with no previous full-time college attendance. International players who played professionally and were drafted can compete in college if they remain within the applicable five-year window tied to high school graduation and satisfy the NCAA's academic requirements.

Who is James Nnaji?

James Nnaji is a Nigerian center who played professionally in European basketball, won the Liga ACB championship with FC Barcelona, and was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA draft. He later played college basketball for Baylor before transferring to George Mason.