Denver Nuggets draft Arizona PF Zeke Nnaji with No. 22 pick in NBA draft

Nov 18, 2020, 8:21 PM

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

The Denver Nuggets selected Arizona power forward Zeke Nnaji with the 22nd pick in the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday.

Nnaji is the second Wildcat taken in the draft after Josh Green was selected No. 18 by the Dallas Mavericks. This is the fifth time in the last seven years that multiple Wildcats have been selected in the draft.

Nnaji was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last season after averaging 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 57% from the field.

He was a key figure in Arizona’s push to return to the NCAA Tournament before the season was canceled.

The Nuggets have somewhat of a hole at the power forward position. Paul Millsap, who started when he wasn’t injured, is entering free agency, and Jerami Grant opted out of his player option. If Denver does not bring them both back, Nnaji could find a spot as a backup big.

Nnaji, who will turn 20 in January, played high school basketball in Minnesota before committing to Arizona.

Follow @AZSports

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.