Charlotte Hornets draftee James Nnaji underwent successful lumbar spine surgery this week after playing with Barcelona in the Liga ACB and EuroLeague.
Nnaji, the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft, is expected to miss at least four months, Barcelona announced. He averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds on 68.7% shooting from the field in 46 appearances this past season across all league competitions.
The 19-year-old missed time this season due to various injuries, including his lower back. He also played a reduced role with Barcelona with established players ahead of him in the frontcourt, like Jan Veslรฝ and Willy Hernangรณmez.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฬ๐๐๐
๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ข ha estat operat amb รจxit dels problemes de columna lumbar que ha sofert durant aquesta temporada.
El temps aproximat de baixa รฉs dโuns quatre mesos. pic.twitter.com/kddAbxisPn
— Barรงa Basket (@FCBbasket) June 4, 2024
Nnaji, born in Nigeria, got a late start in basketball and only began playing in 2017. He joined Ratgeber Basketball Academy in Hungary and played one season with Pecsi in the top league in the country before signing with Barcelona in August 2020.
The 7-footer played three seasons with Barcelona at the junior and senior levels before the Hornets drafted him last year. He joined the team for summer league, averaging 3.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and two blocks in six appearances between Las Vegas and Sacramento.
Nnaji was likely a candidate to join the Hornets again this summer before his latest setback. He may elect to stay with Barcelona for another year and complete his rehabilitation with the team.
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