By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
BAXI Manresa edged FC Barcelona 96-95 in overtime on Sunday, though it was 17-year-old Barca center James Nnaji who stole the show. In his ACB debut, Nnaji made a statement by breaking the all-time record for the youngest player with the most blocks in a game (5), while he also posted 10 points and five rebounds in nearly 20 minutes as a starter.
Quite the impressive debut for the Nigerian big man as it can also be displayed in the video below.
Nnaji had already made his EuroLeague debut earlier this season, in Round 12 against Zalgiris, where he grabbed 3 rebounds in 3 minutes on the court. He played his second game against Baskonia in Round 18 and picked up 2 points in 4 minutes.
Sylvain Francisco sealed the victor for Manresa with 25 points, while Chima Moneke added a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Ismail Bako and Luke Maye were added to the list of top scorers with 14 and 12 points respectively.
Nikola Mirotic led all Barcelona players with 20 points and 8 boards, Nigel Hayes had 17 points, Sertac Sanli posted 16 and Rokas Jokubaitis tapped 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Spanish Liga Endesa Day 17 results:
Saturday, January 8:
Bilbao – MoraBanc Andorra 74-71
Manresa – Real Madrid 87-92
Sunday, January 9:
Breogan – Baskonia postponed
Unicaja – Valencia 82-87
Zaragoza – Murcia postponed
Barcelona – Joventut Badalona postponed
Barcelona – Manresa (Round 14 rescheduled game) 95-96 (OT)
Joventut Badalona – Real Madrid (Round 15 rescheduled game) 71-90
Photo: ACB