In his second season, Onyeka Okongwu has shown the potential the Atlanta Hawks envisioned by increasing the minutes of the sixth overall in the 2020 NBA draft. During the final quarter of the Hawks’ 129-121 comeback win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Okongwu decided to put on a slam dunk exhibition in the fourth quarter.
Okongwu finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and one steal.
ARE YOU SERIOUS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Of17M37SMh
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 30, 2022
Okongwu recently stated in an interview with Hoopshype that he believes he should be invited to the Rising Stars Challenge on All-Star Weekend in Cleveland.
“Everybody can see what I do out there on the court. I think my play really speaks for itself, especially defensively with what I’ve been able to do, guarding on the ball and helping. Offensively, I’ve got my confidence back. I’ve doubled my points scoring to almost 10. At the end of the day, we’re on a six-game winning streak playing good basketball, and I’m part of the mix, which is always a blessing. I’m thankful to be able to be on the Hawks, and we’re playing good basketball. I think, all things considered, I should get a Rising Stars nod”.
The Hawks’ backup center has been a major contributor to the team’s success this season, as his skill and athleticism work well alongside Trae Young and John Collins in their small-ball lineups.
Okongwu is one of only three players (Rudy Gobert and Robert Williams the others) to average nine or more points (9.7) six or more rebounds (6.0) while shooting over 70 percent from the field (74.4 percent).
