1. Onyeka Okongwu is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association.
23 Facts About Onyeka Okongwu
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Onyeka Okongwu was considered a five-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals.
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Highly influenced by his older brother, Nnamdi, Onyeka Okongwu grew a passion for basketball.
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Onyeka Okongwu initially started playing around the age of 8 for Edge Basketball, a club program.
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At age 11, Onyeka Okongwu began playing for another program, RC Rebels, until he attended high school.
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Onyeka Okongwu attended Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, California and started on the varsity basketball team since his freshman season.
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Onyeka Okongwu shared MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors with his teammate, LaMelo Ball, after averaging 7.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game.
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Onyeka Okongwu averaged 28 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks per game, earning California Mr Basketball and USA Today All-USA California first team honors.
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Onyeka Okongwu finished his freshman season with offers to play college basketball for UCLA and USC.
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Onyeka Okongwu was drawn to the program because of its proximity and coaching staff.
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Onyeka Okongwu left high school as a five-star recruit on ESPN and Rivals and as a four-star recruit on 247Sports.
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Onyeka Okongwu became the first USC player to post a double-double in his debut since Taj Gibson in 2006.
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One day later, Onyeka Okongwu was named Pac-12 freshman of the week for his second time.
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Onyeka Okongwu led USC with 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.
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On March 25,2020, Onyeka Okongwu announced that he would enter the 2020 NBA draft and forgo his final three years of college basketball eligibility.
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Onyeka Okongwu was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
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On July 21,2021, the Atlanta Hawks announced that Onyeka Okongwu had undergone surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and Onyeka Okongwu would be expected to be sidelined for about six months.
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On October 23,2023, Onyeka Okongwu signed a four-year, $62 million extension with the Hawks.
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Onyeka Okongwu became the first player to record at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game off the bench in Hawks franchise history.
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Onyeka Okongwu was born to Nigerian immigrants in Los Angeles.
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Onyeka Okongwu wore the number 21 in honor of his brother, who had worn the same number while playing basketball.
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Again honoring his late brother, Onyeka Okongwu began wearing the number 17 - the age Nnamdi was when he passed.
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Onyeka Okongwu has a younger brother and a younger sister.