Unfortunately these days in each play in the Summer League to earn a position in the NBA with the New York Knicks, James respond He still does not know what the future will hold but it is clear that it does not go through Barcelona. The pivot attended MD last night after the Knicks match against the Pacers to confirm in their own voice what many information had been pointing in recent weeks.
“We have not announced it yet, but I and the club know that my contract has ended because I was 3+2. Girona and the Merkezefendi of the Turkish Second Division.
The 2.13 Nigerian pivot reached the lower categories of Barça in 2020 and Sarun Jasikevicius He made him debut with the first team in 2022.
Asked if he left the Barca club for lack of opportunities, this was Nnaji's point of view.
“Yes, because in such a big club, they would always want more opportunities than young people, so it is obvious,” replied the pivot, who clarified his reflection below.
“I would not say that they did not give me enough opportunities. They gave me opportunities and tried to maximize what I had. So I would say it was moderate, they did not do anything wrong with me but they did not do much for me either. It was not a moderate opportunity, not too many opportunities would say,” added James Nnaji. With Jan Vesely y Willy Hernangome Ahead in the rotation, the Nigerian has the doors of abundant minutes closed.
However, NNaji acknowledged that if it has been put on the NBA radar, it is thanks to Barça with a special mention to Jasikevicius.
Jasikevicius, key in Nnaji's career
“I think that in Barcelona I learned a lot of discipline. I think that the slight rebound or slight growth that my career had in Barcelona was because I had Saras. I had a very hard coach who pushed me almost to my limits, if not beyond. Only this led me to be the player I am today,” said the Barça quarry.
In its last season in ACB with Girona, the interior signed 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16 minutes with 75.7% in shots of two in 14 played games and 48.6% in free throws. Nnaji was drafted in 2023 by the Charlotte Hornets on 31 to be transferred to the New York Knicks in October in the three-band operation that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple and Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
What will happen to NNaji and the Knicks?
James Nnaji prioritizes continuing his career in the NBA, where his athletic capacity is valued and to protect the hoop as a counterweight to his offensive limitations such as his for now absence of external threat. The pivot also spoke of his chances of earning a position in the Knicks that he will train Mike Brown When asked where it looks in the future.
“Right now I do not know what the situation is, they are in contact with my agent. All I do is give my 100% on the track and wait the best. I hope to play in the NBA, that is in fact the goal and we are working for it. In the end we will see,” said a nnaji who registered 2 points and 2 rebounds in 7 minutes from the bench last night in the defeat of the New York team against the Indiana Pacers (88-91). The summer league ends Sunday with the Knicks having to play at least one more match against the Wizards on Saturday.
As detailed New York PostKnicks now have two free seats in the roster and the three squares of Two-Way contracts to distribute. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti are the three pivots of the rotation.
While the ex -Barça has not left much numbers in this Summer Leaguethe pivot has been dealing with physical problems as he revealed.
“I am feeling good. I had a small problem in the second game with my back and I had some stiffness. But we are working to free everything, feel better and be 100%,” Nnaji added. The Barça canterano also talked about what the Knicks asked him to do on the track.
“They just want the boy who can take all rebounds, plug some shots and give energy. That is all they expect from me because their roster does not need any offensive play of me,” said the pivot, with potential to play that concrete role of Aro protector In the NBA.
The Knicks coach in this Summer League, Jordan Brink, He got rid of praise towards James Nnaji asked about MD about how he values his performance in the summer league so far.
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“He has been really solid so far. He is bouncing, fighting, putting good blocks, plays extremely hard. It's all you can ask for,” said the coach, who also reflected on what he wants the Nigerian to improve, mentioning Nnaji's role as creator in the head.
“Play with him an action of delay Where he is driving the ball is an area in which he could take his game to another level, but he is doing a great job. He is doing everything we are asking for with screens, continuing, taking offensive rebounds. I have nothing to say good things, he has been really well. It is very solid, ”Brink said.
