UNC Basketball: WVU transfer James Okonkwo adds more frontcourt depth
UNC Basketball gets another roster addition in James Okonkwo. What does the former West Virginia forward offer to the Tar Heels?
When Coach Bob Huggins was forced out of West Virginia in the past month, six players decided to enter the transfer portal. One opted to come back in Kerr Kriisa, while the other five have found new homes. The latest was James Okonkwo, a forward from England that played 34 games in the past two years.
This past season, Okonkwo averaged 11.0 mpg off the bench, producing 2.5 ppg and 3.2 rpg. That includes 10 points and 10 rebounds against Oklahoma in just 14 minutes. He also was a good defender when on the court, including a season-high three blocks versus Iowa State.
The 6’8 forward is a good athlete and defender and will provide needed depth in the frontcourt for UNC Basketball. They bring back star center Armando Bacot for his 5th year but did lose last year’s starter, Pete Nance, along with multiple backups to the transfer portal.
The Tar Heels have added a few pieces to the frontcourt this offseason, including top-75 forward, Zayden High. 6’8 forward Jae’lyn Withers averaged 8.9 ppg and 5.3 rpg as a starting combo forward from Louisville, while Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram is a 6’7 wing that could also play some at the four-spot.
Oknokwo’s ability to play and defend both positions will be useful to the Tar Heels. If the other transfers can handle the four-spot, the former WVU big can simply play behind Bacot as the primary backup center. However, if either High or returning center Jalen Washington can be impact players, then Okonkwo can slide to the power forward position in order to provide frontcourt defense.
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It’s not a guarantee that James Okonkwo will get a spot in the rotation but after losing so much talent, UNC Basketball could afford to add another depth piece with potential. And Coach Hubert Davis is hoping that some of these newcomers can work out to help the ACC program rebound from what was a bad past campaign.