Tag: Onyeka Okongwu

Onyeka Okongwu scores first NBA points in official debut with Hawks

Okongwu made his long-awaited NBA debut with the Hawks after missing the first 11 games of the season with a left foot injury.

On Friday, sixth overall pick Onyeka Okongwu made his long-awaited NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks after missing the first 11 games of the season with a left foot injury.

Okongwu, who was on a restriction limit of 15 minutes, produced four points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in just over 14 minutes of work during the 116-92 loss on the road to the Utah Jazz. He finished 2-of-6 from the field and scored his first basket on a turnaround hook shot in the fourth quarter.

He followed that shot up with a putback dunk for his first slam in the NBA.

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=rQCG1rlJ9v-1111551-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

Okongwu was upgraded on the injury report to probable to play and was on track to play Wednesday versus the Phoenix Suns. However, the game was postponed after the Suns did not have the league-required eight players available to play due to contact tracing on the team.

The organization will certainly be cautious with Okongwu on the court following his injury, as evidenced by his minutes limit. He did not play in the preseason so Friday night marked his first-ever game with the Hawks and it will likely take some time to knock off the rust.

Despite losing to the Jazz, the team can certainly be happy that their prized rookie addition finally made his debut.

[lawrence-related id=25483,24515,24074]

[listicle id=25816]

Onyeka Okongwu’s debut with Hawks will once again be delayed

Okongwu was set to make his debut with the Hawks on Wednesday, but that was scratched after their game versus the Suns was postponed.

Onyeka Okongwu was set to make his debut with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, but that was scratched after their game versus the Phoenix Suns was postponed.

The NBA on Wednesday morning announced the contest was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Suns’ roster. Phoenix did not have the league-required eight players available to play due to contact tracing on the team.

The Suns played the Wizards on Monday night in Phoenix, but Washington now has two players in the COVID-19 health and safety protocol. Out of caution, the Suns have been held out of playing on Wednesday with multiple players of their own in the health and safety protocol.

The postponement of the Hawks and Suns matchup will mean Okongwu will have to wait one more scheduled game to make his official debut. He has not yet appeared in a game with the Hawks after he was diagnosed with inflammation of the sesamoid bone on Nov. 20.

Atlanta had listed Okongwu as probable to play on Wednesday night, meaning he would have likely made his debut versus the Suns. The news the game was postponed did not sit that well with the rookie.

The sixth overall pick will have his next chance to take the court with the Hawks on Friday against the Utah Jazz, barring unforeseen circumstances with testing.

[lawrence-related id=25582,24515,24074]

[listicle id=26126]

Onyeka Okongwu getting closer to making debut with Hawks

Hawks rookie Onyeka Okongwu on Friday took another step toward returning to game action.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Onyeka Okongwu on Friday took another step toward returning to game action after the sixth overall pick participated in 5-on-5 practice, according to Kevin Chouinard of Hawks.com.

Okongwu was diagnosed with inflammation of the sesamoid bone on Nov. 20 and has not yet appeared in a game. Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce said last week that participating in 5-on-5 drills is one of the last steps to go through in order to be cleared to play so it appears he is close to debuting.

The 20-year-old recently confirmed the news that he is closing to returning after dropping an update on Dec. 29 to his nearly 27,000 followers on Twitter.

Okongwu earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors last season after averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. He emerged as perhaps the top defensive center in the country last season and has been touted for his potential to develop into a strong two-way player.

Without Okongwu, the Hawks have posted a 4-4 record but have dropped three straight and have recently gone through some turmoil between Trae Young and John Collins.

In any case, the Hawks’ prized rookie appears close to debuting soon.

[lawrence-related id=25483,24515,24074]

[jwplayer sGWiclXp]

[listicle id=25816]

Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu hints that official NBA debut could be soon

After dealing with a left foot injury, Okongwu hinted on Tuesday that he is nearing his official debut with the Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce on Tuesday offered an encouraging update regarding the rehabilitation of rookie Onyeka Okongwu from a left foot injury.

Okongwu, who was the sixth overall pick, was diagnosed with inflammation of the sesamoid bone on Nov. 20 and did not play with the Hawks during the preseason. He was ruled out of playing in at least the first two games of the regular season and has yet to take the court with the Hawks.

Pierce said Okongwu has been cleared to work toward live contact workouts, according to Sarah Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Okongwu played in a 3-on-3 scrimmage on Tuesday and is currently building up to being able to play in full 5-on-5 scrimmages.

The 20-year-old seemingly confirmed the positive update provided by Pierce on Tuesday, taking to Twitter to give his nearly 26,000 followers the good news.

Okongwu earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors last season after averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. He emerged as perhaps the top defensive center in the country last season and has been touted for his potential to develop into a strong two-way player.

Without Okongwu, the Hawks improved to 3-0 on the season after defeating the Detroit Pistons on Monday, and are now one of just two unbeaten teams (Orlando Magic) remaining in the NBA.

[lawrence-related id=25483,24515,24074]

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=jeprnDOETV-1088304-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

[listicle id=25259]

Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu to miss at least first two games of season

Hawks rookie Onyeka Okongwu will miss at least the first two games of the regular season due to a left foot injury.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Onyeka Okongwu will miss at least the first two games of the regular season due to a left foot injury, the team announced on Friday.

Okongwu, who was the sixth overall pick, was diagnosed with inflammation of the sesamoid bone on Nov. 20 and has not had the opportunity to fully practice with the Hawks or play in a preseason game.

The Hawks said Okongwu has continued his rehabilitation and has participated in modified team practice with contact but will be re-evaluated on Dec. 28.

He will miss the first two games of the regular season as a result.

Okongwu earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors last season after averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. He emerged as perhaps the top defensive center in the country last season and has been touted for his potential to develop into a strong two-way player.

Atlanta will begin the regular season on Wednesday vs. the Chicago Bulls.

[lawrence-related id=24515,25248,25236]

[jwplayer n9KNEaVk]

[listicle id=25267]

NBA predictions: Our picks for All-League teams

HoopsHype predicts all of the All-NBA squads for the 2020-21 season, including the All-Defense and All-Rookie honorees as well.

As we get closer and closer to the upcoming 2020-21 season, HoopsHype decided to make predictions for the All-NBA squads – including rookies and defensive players.

As the league does it, for each group, HoopsHype writers were allowed to pick one big man, two forwards and two guards. These were the results:

Hawks sign No. 6 overall pick Onyeka Okongwu to rookie-scale contract

Atlanta on Tuesday signed a trio of first-year players, including former USC center Onyeka Okongwu, the sixth overall pick.

[jwplayer PekIoBv2]

Following the NBA draft last week, the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday signed a trio of first-year players, including former USC center Onyeka Okongwu, the sixth overall pick.

Okongwu earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors last season after averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. He emerged as perhaps the top defensive center in the country last season and has been touted for his potential to develop into a strong two-way player.

The 19-year-old is reportedly dealing with a minor foot injury after suffering a fractured left big toe during the pre-draft process. Okongwu is expected to make a full recovery and his availability for the start of the 2020-21 season will not be impacted.

In addition to Okongwu, the Hawks also reached contract agreements with former LSU guard Skylar Mays, who was the 50th overall pick, and undrafted forward Nathan Knight from William & Mary.

Mays and Knight were both signed to two-way contracts.

[lawrence-related id=24074,24251,24447]

[listicle id=24420]

LaMelo Ball says he’s proud of former teammate, fellow top pick Onyeka Okongwu: ‘It’s amazing to see’

LaMelo Ball spoke about his close friend and former teammate Onyeka Okongwu, speaking on how proud he is to see him fulfill his dreams.

LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu’s relationship has been an oft-discussed topic heading into the 2020 NBA Draft. The former Chino Hills teammates remained best friends even after Ball left to play professionally all over the globe.

Their wildly different paths converged on Wednesday as Ball was selected with the third pick by Charlotte and Okongwu with the sixth pick by Atlanta, becoming the second and third members of the 2015-16 Chino Hills side to be top-6 draft picks.

Ball revealed to Fox Sports Southeast’s Ashley Shahahmadi that he and Okongwu had a conversation on draft night and discussed what it was like to see his former teammate be drafted shortly after him.

“I told him I was proud of him, congrats and all that. Had a cool little convo and same with him.”

…

“It’s amazing to see, too, obviously and seeing how hard he works and everything and his goals and dream coming true. It’s amazing to see.”

Okongwu himself spoke about being excited to play the Ball brothers this season. He’ll have many chances to face LaMelo as the Hornets and Hawks are division rivals.

More than that, though, Okongwu has also shared some of the same sentiments of pride and friendship with LaMelo. In his media availability ahead of the draft, Okongwu spoke of being happy for Ball as well.

It’s rare to see a pair of close friends like Ball and Okongwu make the NBA, just as it’s rare to see a pair of brothers as top-five draft picks. All of it makes it a very easy story and a group of kids to root for.

Onyeka Okongwu looking forward to playing Lonzo, LaMelo Ball in rookie season

After playing together at Chino Hills, Onyeka Okongwu is looking forward to facing both Lonzo and LaMelo Ball in the NBA next season.

While the Ball brothers made history on Wednesday in becoming the first brothers selected in the top-5 in the NBA Draft in the league’s history, both are connected to another top-10 draft pick. Onyeka Okongwu was selected No. 6 by the Atlanta Hawks.

Okongwu played alongside the Ball brothers at Chino Hills, spending one year with Lonzo when the Huskies won the state title and two years with LaMelo before he withdrew from school. Okongwu and LaMelo stayed in touch in the years after Ball left Chino Hills and the group as a whole that won a state title kept in contact. The Ball brothers have been supportive of both Okongwu and the fifth starter on that team Eli Scott, who is entering his senior year at Loyola Marymount.

After being drafted to Atlanta, Okongwu discussed the players he was most looking to face at the next level and his previous teammates’ names came up.

Okongwu will have his chance to play both brothers this season. The NBA’s restricted schedule of just 72 games means that the Hawks will play the Pelicans just once next season. However, Okongwu will have four match-ups against Charlotte, who is a Southeast Division rival.

[lawrence-related id=27075,27014,27017]

The 10 betting favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

The 10 betting favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year