When the Denver Nuggets selected Zeke Nnaji 22nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, they believed they had found their backup center of the future. Nnaji, a one-and-done product of the University of Arizona, averaged 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds during his freshman season for the Wildcats. With Mason Plumlee’s free agency looming, the Nuggets had a vacancy at backup center and selected Nnaji, who they believed to be the best option on the board for their franchise.
One year later and the general impression of Zeke Nnaji as a player has changed significantly.