Prospect Spotlight -- Onyeka Okongwu

[Jamaaliver]

The case for Onyeka Okongwu as this class' best big man

USC's Onyeka Okongwu has entered the best big conversation, sparking a debate among NBA teams about who will wind up as this class' top center, especially given James Wiseman's abbreviated resume at Memphis. Okongwu was incredibly productive as a freshman; he was the best player on a 22-9 USC team that finished third in the Pac-12 and is the only player in our extensive database with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 3.5 blocks per 40 minutes with a true shooting percentage over 65% before reaching age 20.

Okongwu has the type of defensive versatility coveted by every title contender and playoff team, starting with his pick-and-roll defense. He's excellent in drop situations, already showing the ability to play the cat-and-mouse game seen from so many of the best bigs -- bluffing at the ball handler, yet making sure the roller doesn't get behind him for lobs. He's agile enough to contest pull-up 3s at the level of the screen and yet keep the ball contained. Every team wants to concede non-paint 2s, which is why having a big who can be an asset in drop situations -- both containing penetration and protecting the rim -- is so important.

Okongwu is also comfortable stepping out and switching onto guards. His perimeter defense could allow him to fit in some two-big lineups, especially alongside a stretch-five. But Okongwu has the smarts and above-average competitiveness to hold his own against the league's best post-up bigs, and scouts love that he should eventually be able to play against both small-ball and jumbo lineups.

On offense, Okongwu's game is fairly simple. His soft hands, quick leaping and excellent touch made him the fifth-best finisher in college basketball at 66.4% among players with at least 140 attempts around the rim, according to Synergy Sports Technology data. In addition to being a lob threat and vertical spacer, he has the touch shots and floaters to remain effective against NBA centers like Rudy Gobert.

[NBA teams] want his pick-and-roll defense, rim protection, finishing and winning mentality. He might not have the traditional upside of Wiseman, who is likely to be selected in the top three, but Okongwu is certainly the more NBA-ready of the two.

ESPN Insider

[Jamaaliver]

2020 Draft Prospects Who Are the Most NBA-Ready

Onyeka Okongwu (USC, C, Freshman)



Onyeka Okongwu may be best suited for an energizer role as a rookie, but he's still a great bet to contribute early.

Even without featured touches, he figures to continue finishing and putting back misses, tapping in to his athleticism and motor around the basket. Right away, he'll have success as a rim runner, roller, dunker's-spot recipient and offensive rebounder. At 245 pounds, he's quick and explosive off the ground.

His defensive activity and upside should pop as well. That bounce and aggression will translate to more shot-blocking, while his foot speed will show on switches and pick-and-roll recoveries. He wasn't a foul machine (3.5 per 40 minutes) at USC either, a promising sign for his potential to stay in games.

While his scoring and passing ability figure to come alive later in his rookie contract, Okongwu should still put together an exciting 2020-21 highlight reel of impressive post footwork, touch with both hands and assists to corner shooters.

In the long term, he has a chance to be a center coaches can feature in the half court given what he showed at USC as a high-percentage-shot-creator and capable mid-range threat.

In the short term, he's going to give a team easy baskets and an impactful defensive presence.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

5 best team fits for Onyeka Okongwu



Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks’ frontcourt can be seen as either set in stone or completely amorphous. John Collins can either negotiate an extension to stay with them this fall, or he can opt for restricted free agency at the end of 2021. Clint Capela and Dewayne Dedmon were both acquired at the trade deadline, and both have multiple years of team control left.

Collins’ viability had a direct impact on those additions. Atlanta has decided that Collins is not a 5, likely because he’s a poor rim protector. But even with his expanded range as a shooter this season (40.1 percent 3-point clip on 3.6 attempts per game), it’s hard to see him being a 4 in 2020. Many of his 3s were either uncontested or right out of the pick-and-pop, which is much different than being an actual stretch-4 — especially in the spread offense Atlanta runs.

Factor in Collins’ contract demands, and it’s hard to see the Hawks committing to him past 2021. Should he be there at No. 6, Okongwu can effectively replace him and be a better fit.

Now if Collins isn’t enough of a shooter to thrive at the 4, why would Okongwu, a complete non-shooter at this point, be a superior option? The Hawks can encourage him to at least fire when open, but there’s no guarantee he can coexist with Capela, a complete non-factor outside the paint.

For one thing, Atlanta’s putrid defense would at least go up a notch with Okongwu out there over Collins. He can guard rangier forwards in space when next to either Atlanta center, something Collins still struggles with.

In addition, as the Hawks try to be more competitive, he estimates to be a better crunch-time option at the 5 than either Capela or Dedmon. A lineup of Trae Young, wings and Okongwu is much more elastic and versatile. Every good team has a trump card like that, and the Hawks’ best iteration of that right now involves Collins at the 5. Their front office has told us that that card is no longer in the deck.

The Stepback

[Jamaaliver]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Okongwu shot 42% on two-point jumpers, and that’s about guard-level numbers in an NBA center. He can attack in the post for hook shots with touch, or attack facing up to the hoop by pump-faking and taking a dribble or two.

He makes good decisions and can pass on simple reads to keep himself from forcing things that aren’t there. In other words, he knows his limitations. He’s an explosive leaper with great timing, as his blocking average would indicate, but his most intriguing ability as an NBA player is how fluidly he moves. That will help him stay on the floor to recover off hedges or switch late in games.

As a whole, maybe nothing pops other than Okongwu’s finishing ability, which by the way is still a huge part of playing as a big man in the league. His strength on screens and attacking the bucket are important parts of his package. Yet among his 2020 classmates, it’s Okongwu’s lack of a huge red flag that arguably makes him the most complete player entering the draft. He’s smart, competes, adds a few NBA skills and is an above-average athlete in the mold that fits the modern game.

Empire of the Suns

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Spud2nique]

Read on Twitter

If he’s still on the board and we bypass him.. I’m gonna cry. I want us to get him the most and I want him to go to the Warriors the least because, well they are an evil snake franchise.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Spud2nique]

I want this dude on the Hawks badly. Comon Schlenk!

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Spud2nique]

Andy Katz on the mock NBA tv just agreed with what I’ve been saying all along. Okongwu!

[Jamaaliver]

Watch on YouTube

[Spud2nique]

I’m calling BS on this. Why would they wait and reveal it today. Nah, smokescreen all the way.

Ryan McDonough: BREAKING – sources say projected Lottery pick Onyeka Okongwu currently has an injured foot. Teams in tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery are a scrambling to get medical info on Okongwu’s foot to determine the severity of the injury. Okongwu has fans with teams in the mid/late Lottery. – via Twitter McDNBA

[Spud2nique]

I dunno why Okongwu’s supposedly injured foot reminds me of Danny Ainge’s rear end. I’m just saying if there were only 2 items one could get inserted into the other pretty easily. Nice try Ainge!

[Spud2nique]