The Charlotte Hornets were always unlikely to use all five of their draft picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. They decided to consolidate a couple to move up to the first pick of the second round. They used that pick to select center James Nnaji from Barcelona, originally from Nigeria.
Nnaji is a physical freak of nature. He’s about 7′ tall with a 7’7″ wingspan and weighs a chiseled 250 pounds. He looks like he’s carved out granite. He’s also an explosive athlete with a relentless motor and strong work ethic. That physical profile makes him a menace on the boards and an imposing physical presence on the interior defensively.