17-year-old James Nnaji makes history for Barcelona's basketball team

Nigerian youngster James Nnaji made history in the Spanish basketball league on Sunday, January 9, 2022.

Nnaji became the youngest player in the history of the league to play for more than 15 minutes in his first Spanish basketball league game.

Nnaji who is just 17-years-old had featured for Barcelona in the Euro League however this was his first appearance in the Spanish League.

It was an exciting debut for Nnaji who took advantage of some senior players out due to Covid.

At just 17-years and four months old, Nnaji was started Barcelona's game against BAXI Manresa.

In what turned out to be a record performance, Nnaji started his debut by scoring the first four points for Barcelona in the game.

Nnaji ended the game with 10 points and featured for 19 minutes and 46 seconds.

It was a record for the young Nnaji as his 19 minutes was more than the 15 that Spanish basketball legend Juan Carlos Navarro recorded in the 1997-98 season in ACB history for a player under 18.

The six-foot 10 inches Nnaji also set another record with five blocks playing center for Barcelona.

It was the most by a player under 18 years of age breaking the record held by Yannick Nzosa.

Despite Barcelona's loss to Manresa, it was a dream debut for Nnaji who is a member of the Nigerian senior men's basketball team known as D'Tigers.

Nnaji will be looking to get more game time when Barcelona takes on Milano in their next Euro League fixture scheduled for Tuesday, January 11, 2022.