All Hornets

James Nnaji Gets Opportunity with New Team

Charlotte continues to play the waiting game for James Nnaji.

Schuyler Callihan

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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Center James Nnaji, the Charlotte Hornets' second round draft pick in 2023, will be playing on a new team this upcoming season.

According to European basketball insider Luca D'Alessandro, Nnaji will play on a loan from Barcelona at Girona Basquet. The 19-year-old underwent surgery to address lumbar spine issues earlier this offseason, which is partially why he will remain stashed overseas. The other reason being, he needs more playing time for his development. Across 46 games this past season Nnaji averaged just 2.5 points,1.9 rebounds, and seven minutes per game. Not exactly what the Hornets had hoped for in his first season after acquiring his rights.

The Hornets are free to bring over Nnaji the moment they feel he is ready, but that doesn't appear to be in their plans for this season. Mark Williams returns from a back issue, Nick Richard is back, and the team also signed Taj Gibson last month for depth purposes.

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Schuyler Callihan
SCHUYLER CALLIHAN

schuylercallihan(at)gmail.com  Twitter:@Callihan_ Schuyler Callihan is the lead publisher of Mountaineers Now, All Panthers, and All Hornets on FanNation/Sports Illustrated. He took over publishing duties of All Panthers in 2020 and wanted to expand his professional coverage in the Queen City by running the operations at All Hornets. Schuyler attended Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia before finishing up his schooling at Alamance Community College in Graham, North Carolina. The Wheeling, West Virginia native made the move to North Carolina in 2015 and has been in Charlotte since 2021.

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