Charlotte Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak and assistant general manager Buzz Peterson dined with draftee James Nnaji on Friday in Barcelona, Spain.
Kupchak held a video conference call with local media members on Friday to discuss their recent moves at the trade deadline. He revealed the two executives were abroad to meet with Nnaji after watching him play with Barcelona.
The Hornets drafted Nnaji with the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft after three seasons with Barcelona at the junior and senior levels. He played with the Hornets last year in summer league and then returned to Barcelona for this season.
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 is averaging 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds on 64.4% shooting from the field in 35 games this season with Barcelona. He has played sparingly, with the roster boasting such names as Jabari Parker, Willy Hernangomez and Jan Vesely.
After playing this season in Spain, Nnaji could once again join the Hornets for summer league this year. The team and Nnaji will likely then determine the best path forward for the 19-year-old next year.
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