Back when the Ball brothers made Chino Hill High School a household name, there was another player that kept catching the eye of scouts, as Onyeka Okongwu flashed athleticism and was flushing down oops from LaMelo Ball. Okongwu then attended USC for one year and performed well, averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.7 blocks while shooting 61% from the field.
The rise continued into the 2020 NBA Draft, as the Atlanta Hawks selected him with the sixth overall pick. Then all of us fantasy nerds kept dreaming of the replication of the Chino Hills days, but instead of LaMelo Ball throwing oops, it would now be Trae Young.
But the Hawks traded for Clint Capela prior to the draft, and he was the preferred option at center. Capela is two inches taller, more of a rim protector and an awesome lob threat for Young,
Every season, though, Okongwu played more and more, going from 12 minutes a game his rookie season to 20.7, 23.1 and 25.5 last season. And after every season, Capela aged one more year. Entering 2024, Capela is 30 years old and entering the final year of his contract.
Is now the time for Okongwu to make all us fantasy nerds giddy inside?
Well, through two games, Capela has started but played 20 and 22 minutes. Okongwu has played 28 and 26 minutes off the bench. Now, the range of production has been cavernous for Okongwu, as he went for 28 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the first game and put up only seven points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal on Friday.
That said, minutes are half the battle and Okongwu is winning that battle so far. He’s still only 23 years old and will only get better with more reps and experience.
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