In 2014, Nnamdi suffered a brain injury in a skateboarding accident and died after spending three days on life support. Whenever the USC freshman slips on his No. Okongwu has been inspired to succeed since his older brother Nnamdi died from a skateboard accident in 2014. A lot of guys that young and tall aren’t that coordinated and haven’t grown into their body, but you could already see the skills and coordination I had at that age.”. You hear that about a lot of guys, and you never know, but I definitely saw the potential. 6 overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. His mom tells him to live in the moment. Okongwu said he cried every day for a month after Nnamdi’s death. Now with the Atlanta Hawks, he can work next to Trae Young, John Collins, and the rest of the Hawks as they try to look toward the future. We will never forget you.”. A number of mock drafts have him listed as a lottery pick. “[Assistant coach Chris Capko] and Enfield have been on me hard about it.”. Cuh! Find out everything about Onyeka Okongwu. Okongwu pulled his tearful mother in for a hug as they discussed with ESPN his background and the influence of his older brother Nnamdi, who died in 2014 after hitting his head in a skateboarding accident. In this article: big o, chino hills basketball, chino hills basketball 2016, onyeka okongwu, onyeka okongwu best highlights, onyeka okongwu brother, onyeka okongwu brother accident, onyeka okongwu chino hills, onyeka okongwu, “Whenever I wear it, gotta put respect on it.”. This sparked a beautiful relationship that lasts until this day. “Not a great athlete, but a good athlete. “Having to box him out, deny him the ball in the post, make him work for it and stuff, [it’s] definitely not easy, but I’m grateful because it makes me better and stronger and I think it makes our team better and stronger.”. “Coach pulled me aside and told me, ‘I know you lost a brother, but you’ve got 12 brothers here, and we’re going to take care of you,'” Onyeka said of his coach. From his wife or girlfriend to things such as his tattoos, cars, houses, salary & net worth. Onyeka Okongwu has not been previously engaged. He’s done that and more. As Okongwu’s college basketball career takes off, he stays grounded by the memory of his older brother Nnamdi, who died at 17 years old after a skateboarding accident in 2014. “Seeing him being the young man he’s growing up to be — very humble, very respectful — it gives me so much joy.”. The former four-star recruit is now the standout of USC’s vaunted freshman class that was ranked in the top 10 nationally and included McDonald’s All-American Isaiah Mobley, a former teammate of Okongwu’s with the Compton Magic, an AAU team. Onyeka had at least 1 relationship in the past. Okongwu was drafted … Okongwu was drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Hawks during the 2020 NBA Draft. Onyeka Okongwu surges in the second half to lift USC over Long Beach State. By the time that Onyeka was old enough to play, he went to the same school and wore the same number, 21, to honor his fallen brother. The tragedy of Nnamdi’s death affected the basketballer deeply. Onyeka wore the number from 2016 to 2019 and his older brother, Nnamdi Okongwu, who died in a skateboarding accident in 2014, wore the number during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. It was the summer of 2014 when tragedy struck the Okongwu family. The basketballer, Onyeka Okongwu, had a brother named Nnamdi, who suffered from a brain injury after a horrific skateboarding accident. Liliana Carrillo’s unraveling over the last year alarmed people in her life. The death was a tragedy for everyone involved. The story might be a tragedy, but Onyeka is making sure that his brother’s legacy will never be forgotten no matter what he does. (Photo by … “He looks like he’s stronger than 19,” a scout from a Western Conference team said, adding that Okongwu’s draft stock is likely as high as it’ll ever be. Now her second son is blossoming into a tempting NBA prospect, although at 6-9 without a strong outside shot, he’ll likely fit at the next level as an undersized center. In the NBA, Onyeka can further pay tribute to his brother on the biggest stage. Okongwu has made 62.4% of his shots (83 of 133). It was an emotional scene Wednesday night as USC standout Onyeka Okongwu heard his name called with the No. Wuuuuuu!”. He was only 17 years old and had finished his second season playing varsity basketball at Chino Hills less than four months prior. Okongwu, who won three CIF State titles in four years at Chino Hills and was named California’s “Mr. UC explains admissions decisions in a record application year of much heartbreak, some joy. RELATED: The Worst NBA Draft Class Ever Was Tragically Cursed. 17 in the NBA to honor his older brother, Nnamdi, who died in 2014. The basketballer, Onyeka Okongwu, had a brother named Nnamdi, who suffered from a brain injury after a horrific skateboarding accident. “We could tell right then he was just a winner,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. He is a star and sixth choice in the NBA Draft Our columnist visits L.A.'s new wave of shelter solutions. The right sandwich for 22 different hikes in L.A. A hike is a good excuse to eat a sandwich. She previously covered UCLA, professional soccer and preps for the Southern California News Group. 17 in the NBA to honor his older brother, Nnamdi, who died in 2014. Sitting in a cushioned black chair in Galen Center, Okongwu rests a to-go food container on his knees after a recent practice. Onyeka was just a middle-schooler when this story took a dark turn. The eye-popping numbers have Okongwu rising on NBA draft boards. Kate explained that God wanted some people to come home a little earlier than others. The power of the moment for Onyeka and the Okongwu family is magnified by the knowledge that Onyeka’s older brother Nnamdi was not here to share this experience. Clayton Kershaw threw six shutout innings and drew a bases-loaded walk and Mookie Betts made a game-ending diving catch in a 2-0 win at San Diego. Okongwu loves to go home and watch his younger brother play basketball on the weekends. 21 jersey, he upholds the promise inscribed on the bracelet. He misses his family when he’s at school, even if they’re just a drive on the 60 freeway away. He was entering his senior year at Chino Hills High and earning scholarship interest from Division I colleges. Nnamdi died that day. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. He was born to parents Mike Okongwu and Kate Okongwu. Onyeka wears No. He coached Nnamdi before his death and remained with the school when his younger brother came months later. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward made his presence known immediately as he tied the USC record for blocks in a game with eight in his collegiate debut against Florida A&M. USC was always Okongwu’s dream school, his mother Kate said. Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter. A sandwich improves every hike, and in L.A., you can almost always find one not far from the other. Without Nnamdi, Okongwu took the mantle of big brother. Onyeka Okongwu honored his brother by wearing his No. Okongwu had worn the number 21 jersey in honor of his brother, who had worn the same number while playing basketball. As Okongwu’s college basketball career takes off, he stays grounded by the memory of his older brother Nnamdi, who died at 17 years old after a skateboarding accident in 2014. In 2014, Nnamdi suffered a brain injury in a skateboarding accident and died after spending three days on life support. However, from that tragedy came a new vigor that propelled the younger Okongwu brother to the NBA. New NBA player Onyeka Okongwu was a star before her election to the world famous championship. About Onyeka Okongwu Onyeka Okongwu is a gifted athlete whose improved frame, budding feel inside, and versatility on the defensive end helped him … Onyenka Okongwu reacts when his brother Chukwuemeka scores before the retiring of the No. 21 jersey and won three state titles with the Huskies (2016, 2018 and 2019). Nnamdi was a promising basketball prospect before dying from head injuries sustained in the accident. He didn’t think ahead enough to imagine himself as a one-and-done prospect. In 2014, his brother Nnamdi Okongwu suffered from a brain injury in a skateboarding accident which took the life of his brother. Okongwu … The Worst NBA Draft Class Ever Was Tragically Cursed, The Tragic Death of Atlanta Hawks Star Dan Roundfield. Tiny houses and shipping containers may help homeless people in L.A. Are they humane? Two years later, Okongwu took the same court at Chino Hills wearing the same No. He was interested after watching his brother, and Kate just wanted to keep her boys busy. But the offense struggled behind makeshift lines. By the time Nnamdi was in high school, he was one of the most highly sought-after prospects in America. One of their most powerful bonds, however, was basketball. Okongwu’s 3.2-block-per-game pace is ahead of Taj Gibson’s 2.9 average that helped him set the school record for blocks in a season with 100 in 2009. To Kate, that process started years before when he received the news of Nnamdi’s passing. 17 in the NBA to honor his older brother, Nnamdi, who died in 2014. “After what happened to him, it made him a very strong person, it’s shifted his way of thinking, it’s shifted his way of behaving,” Kate said. One morning, he texted his brother and was surprised when he never texted back. Because she doesn’t use her University of Washington mathematics degree for work, it makes great decoration in her parents’ Seattle home. Rams season-ticket holders got a chance to visit SoFi Stadium for the first time after the COVID-19 pandemic barred them from attending games last season. Champion photo by Josh Thompson Okongwu – who wears uniform No. Later, they discovered he experienced a severe head injury while riding a skateboard. Back in 2016, LaMelo Ball, his older brother Lonzo Ball, along with Onyeka Okongwu, helped lead the Chino Hills High basketball team to an undefeated 35-0 record, a state title and the No. 21 jersey and doesn’t think about what could happen in his future with another good performance, but focuses more on what has happened to put him in this position. Basketball” and The Times’ player of the year twice, brought his winning ways to USC, where the Trojans are trying to make their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2017. “So once that hit, I just told myself nothing’s guaranteed.”. USC freshman forward Onyeka Okongwu wears a bracelet on his wrist in memory of his older brother Nnamdi, who died at 17 years old after a skateboarding accident in 2014. As a freshman, Okongwu started on the undefeated team that finished first in national polls for high school teams. Coach Steve Baik has a special relationship with the Okongwu family, reports the Daily Bulletin. 21 basketball jersey worn by himself and other brother Nnamdi at … Whatever Onyeka’s story entails, however, it will be his late brother’s memory that drives him to another level. 21 to honor his younger brother, … He worries about the way his family of six was split in half so suddenly: his parents divorced, Nnamdi died and he went to USC. USC freshman Onyeka Okongwu, a potential top-10 draft pick this summer, wears a bracelet and the No. Southern California forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) grabs a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in Los Angeles, in this March 7, 2020, file photo. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 34-17 on the strength of 3 touchdown passes from freshman quarterback Elijah Brown to lay claim as the best in the state. The annual NBA draft is coming out on Wednesday, and there are many Nigerians in the list. Okongwu had to grow up fast after losing his brother to a freak skateboarding accident. Despite consistent highlights, Okongwu is sometimes guilty of playing what Enfield calls “high school defense.” He lets his man blow by him then chases from behind in an attempt to get a block. “That’s why I work hard every single day. Is a tiny house really a glorified toolshed? Okongwu has overpowered opponents with an array of post moves, tidy footwork and scoop layups with either hand. Okongwu’s older brother, Nnamdi, had also played basketball. Chukwuemeka used to be “a little knucklehead,” Okongwu said with a smirk, but he’s growing up to be a nice young man. Baik explained: “[Nnamdi] used to tell me he had a brother that was going to be very good, probably better than him. He talks about the classes he’s taking — English, dance and American histories — and how much more school work he has than in high school. Times staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this story. © Copyright 2021 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. He’s solid.”. On the season, Okongwu’s.616 field goal percentage was tops in the Pac-12. It's Onyeka Okongwu's Time to Shine The former running mate of the Ball brothers considered quitting basketball after a tragedy in his family in … Both Onyeka and his older brother fell in love with the game at an early age. He asked his mom why his brother, a good person, had to die. A little over six years ago, Okongwu lost his older brother, Nnamdi, to a horrific accident when he fell off a skateboard and sustained a bad head injury. CBS combines news, TV stations group and taps new leaders after Times investigation. Nnamdi had been a big man on campus at the same high school where Lonzo Ball and his brothers first got their start, Chino Hills. Against Pepperdine, he made 17 of 21 free throws and scored a season-high 33 points. Nigerian-born parents Kate and Mike weren’t home but younger brother Chukwuemeka answered the door, only to find a police officer looking to speak with someone in authority. “Hopefully he’s proud of me,” Okongwu said. Kedon Slovis and USC’s offense don’t show much in spring game at Coliseum. Knowing what kind of burden was floating over Onyeka; however, he let him know that he and everyone else on the team were in his corner and ready to do what needed to be done. During a nearly 30-minute interview in the team’s film room in Galen Center, Okongwu doesn’t mention the NBA once. in his collegiate debut against Florida A&M, California community college enrollment plummets, putting some campuses at risk. Former USC Trojans star Onyeka Okongwu will wear No. He didn’t need to star on offense with the Balls dominating, but he brought energy when he swatted shots away or slammed dunks in transition. He can shoot a little bit, can finish around the paint. Nnamdi Okongwu, a promising 6-foot-9 senior center at Chino Hills, died after sustaining a fatal head injury in … But Okongwu becomes bashful when speaking about his aspirations beyond college. 21 jersey that honors his brother who died in 2014 after a skateboarding accident. Nnamdi died in … Already having been one of the most competitive conferences in recent years, the Pac-12 is taking depth to a new level this season. He always went on the court with a smile, Okongwu remembers. Former USC Trojans star Onyeka Okongwu will wear No. He’s learning to become his own man, he says. High school football: Saturday’s results from across the Southland. “She would always tell me he’s gone, be strong, and live life through him and for him,” Okongwu said. Yea! Okongwu's older brother, Nnamdi, had also played basketball for Chino Hills High School. Okongwu wore a black bracelet that night with the words “NNAMDI OKONGWU #21, WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU” to keep his brother close to him. Fit with Wizards: There is no denying that the Wizards He spoke about the drive he gets paying tribute to his late brother when first entering Chino Hills. With their leading scorer and rebounder day-to-day, the Trojans (11-2) begin Pac-12 play Friday at Washington State. Okongwu dreams of supporting his family through basketball one day, whether in the NBA or overseas, but when he came to USC, he just envisioned winning games and having fun. He cuts down the lane in a flash and teammates find him for open shots. Other times, opponents can do nothing but foul. 21 as his jersey number since 2014. Okongwu makes them pay then, too. He died in 2014 in a skateboarding accident. 21 to honor his late brother… The tragedy of Nnamdi’s death affected the basketballer deeply. Rams fans finally get their chance to see SoFi Stadium up close. This doesn’t mean everything was always sunshine and roses, however. Onyeka Okongwu’s Girlfriend Onyeka Okongwu is single.He is not dating anyone currently. RELATED: The Tragic Death of Atlanta Hawks Star Dan Roundfield, Ca makes no qualms about the role his brother’s death played in his career. Can money from Silicon Valley save low-cost housing in South L.A.. Onyeka Okongwu takes the black silicone band off his wrist and kisses the lime green words: “Nnamdi Okongwu #21. Onyeka Okongwu scores 24 of his 28 points in the second half to propel USC to an 87-76 victory over Long Beach State on Sunday. Mother unraveled in depression, QAnon-style conspiracies in months before she killed 3 kids. Okongwu takes his bracelet off for games, placing it delicately in his locker, then performs at levels his brother never got to witness in person, although Okongwu is sure Nnamdi is watching. 247sports.com O! *Okongwu has worn No. Onyeka Okongwu is floating on cloud nine after the Atlanta Hawks chose him in the recent NBA draft. “He always brings it,” Mobley said. “I’ll just need to focus on the pick and roll coverages,” Okongwu said. Wendy McMahon will bring a new style of management to CBS’ television stations group following the ouster of former stations chief Peter Dunn. Since his death, Onyeka has been wearing the number #21 jersey in the loving memory of his brother. He wore a special bracelet at USC to honor Nnamdi who passed away after a skateboarding accident at a young age. 21 jersey as he teamed with the three Ball brothers in 2016. Onyeka Okongwu Late Brother SOURCE: Instagram@big0 His brother died after three days on life support. “I just promised myself that no matter what I do for the rest of my life, I’m going to keep my brother’s legacy alive,” Okongwu said. Baik spoke about how much it meant to coach Nnamdi’s brother after getting to know him during their time together. Okongwu had to grow up fast after losing his brother to a freak skateboarding accident. That day, the Okongwu family learned that Nnamdi, Onyeka’s older brother of four years, had been in a skateboarding accident in Chino Hills. He wears that in honor of his older brother, Nnamdi, who died from a skateboarding accident that same year. Thuc Nhi Nguyen covers college sports and the NBA for the Los Angeles Times. Former USC Trojans star Onyeka Okongwu will wear No. He was born to parents Mike Okongwu and Kate Okongwu. Kate, who moved to the United States in 1999 from Nigeria, never thought this would happen when she enrolled Okongwu in basketball when he was 5 years old. Are the unhoused serving as guinea pigs for architect’s design experiments? He was placed 3 days on life support before he passed away. He was on life support for three days before the family decided to remove it. As the Ball brothers — and their father — exploded in fame, Okongwu was the team’s defensive stalwart. Kong! During the moments before a game, Okongwu slips on his cherished No. He wore a special bracelet at USC to honor Nnamdi who passed away after a skateboarding accident at […] “I’m wearing this number for somebody,” Okongwu said. The 19-year-old played hard and was chosen by the Atlanta Hawks. “I thought me and my brother would grow up with each other, see each other’s nieces and nephews, you know?” Okongwu said. He became closer with his younger siblings, Chukwuemeka, now 16, and Chinemya, 12. Onyeka Okongwu says being a defender is in his blood, and is ready to be an anchor for the team that drafts him on Wednesday night. In fourth grade, he did a class project about USC. Mookie Betts’ walk-off catch saves day as Dodgers beat Padres, win eighth straight. More than the usual smattering of Nigerian eyes will be fixed on the NBA Draft on Wednesday, as a record-high chunk of the class is made up of Nigeria-origin players. Kate, who works as a registered nurse, enjoys taking the family to Galen Center to watch USC’s games and gets a thrill from simply hearing the announcer introduce her son before the game by emphasizing every syllable in his name: “Own! Onyeka had a successful year at USC and went sixth overall in the 2020 draft. His older brother, Nnamdi, was also a Chino Hills standout but died from a skateboarding accident when Onyeka was 13. USC got to perform in front of fans Saturday at the Coliseum in its spring game. The Inland Empire products were AAU teammates since ninth grade, but Mobley, a 6-foot-10 forward from Rancho Christian, relished the competitive battles they had for their high school teams. Mater Dei beats St. John Bosco for Trinity League title. Chinemya plays volleyball. He ran the floor, rebounded and blocked shots. I want to do something great that he never had the chance to do.”. There are ‘no off nights’ in Pac-12 women’s basketball. USC's Onyeka Okongwu is Selected 6th by Atlanta Hawks in the 2020 NBA draft The Atlanta Hawks added to their young nucleus by selecting center Onyeka Okongwu … He leads USC in free throw attempts with 65 and his 70.8% shooting (46 for 65) is tied for the team lead for players with more than 18 attempts. However, from that tragedy came a new vigor that propelled the younger Okongwu brother to the NBA. Okongwu was drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Hawks during the 2020 NBA Draft. He was placed 3 days on life support before he passed away. Nnamdi died three days later from brain injuries. The sons of Nigerian immigrants, Onyeka and his brother Nnamdi were close as they grew up in America, details the Daily Bulletin. Chino Hills’ Onyeka Okongwu is guarded by Santa Margarita’s Jake Kyman (13), left, and Max Agbonkpolo in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game Feb. 23 at Cal Baptist. University of California admissions officers explain their decisions in a year of record applications that brought widespread heartbreak and some joy for high school seniors competing for spots. Even as he emerges as an enticing draft prospect, Okongwu remains a 19-year-old figuring out how to navigate college life. The box is full of pasta and bread, but he is so willing to answer questions that he doesn’t pause to eat any of his food. He learned as a 13-year-old that even the best-laid plans can go awry. Tragedy strikes Onyeka Okongwu’s family RELATED: The … Okongwu was at the hospital when she was born. With 17.7 points and nine rebounds per game, Okongwu dominated during USC’s nonconference schedule until an ankle injury kept him out of a win over Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday. “I want to make him proud,” Onyeka said after an afternoon practice. Standout but died from a skateboard accident in 2014 special bracelet at USC to honor Nnamdi passed! 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