Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Onyeka Okongwu was born on December 11, 2000, in Los Angeles, CA. He is a power forward in the NBA.

Okongwu was a four-year starter at Chino Hills High School in California, playing alongside Lonzo and LaMelo Ball. As a freshman, he helped his team win the state championship and achieve national success, while being named MaxPreps co-National Freshman of the Year. In his junior and senior seasons, Okongwu led Chino Hills to two more state titles, earning back-to-back California Mr. Basketball honors. He was considered a five-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals. In his only college season, Okongwu played for USC and was named to the first team All-Pac-12.

Okongwu was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. On November 24, 2020, the Hawks announced that they had signed Okongwu.

On July 21, 2021, the Atlanta Hawks announced that Okongwu had undergone surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and Okongwu would be expected to be sidelined for about six months.

On January 13, 2023, Okongwu put up a career-high 20 rebounds alongside 18 points in a 113–111 win over the Indiana Pacers.

On October 23, 2023, Okongwu signed a four-year, $62 million extension with the Hawks.