Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu returned to Southern California to host a youth basketball camp in Chino after the best season of his NBA career.
Onyeka Okongwu returned to a familiar part of Southern California over the weekend. The Atlanta Hawks big man hosted a two-day youth basketball camp on Saturday and Sunday at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. The camp was open to boys and girls ages 6 to 16, and Atlanta shared video from Okongwu's time on the court with the campers.
Okongwu grew up in Chino Hills and went on to become one of the best players in Chino Hills High School history.
Okongwu's Basketball Career Took Off at Chino Hills
Okongwu started on varsity all four years at Chino Hills. During his first two, the roster also featured Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball.
Chino Hills went 116-24 during Okongwu's four seasons and won three state championships.
As a senior, he averaged 27.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.3 blocks, and 4.0 assists. He shot 62% from the field.
Okongwu was named California Mr. Basketball in 2018 and 2019. The Los Angeles Times also named him its player of the year after his senior season.
His older brother, Nnamdi, had played center at Chino Hills. Nnamdi died in 2014 after suffering a head injury in a skateboarding accident. Okongwu was 13.
Okongwu stayed at Chino Hills through his senior year and won another state championship before leaving for USC.
He spent one season with the Trojans.
Okongwu started all 28 games and averaged 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. His 76 blocks set a USC freshman record at the time. He also made the All-Pac-12 first team.
Atlanta selected him sixth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Okongwu Returns After Career Year With Hawks
Okongwu is coming off his most productive NBA season. He averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 74 games. He started 63 games and played a career-high 31.0 minutes per game.
Atlanta went 46-36 and finished sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks took a 2-1 lead over the New York Knicks in the first round before losing the series in six games.
The roster looks different now. Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Ryan Nembhard, Devin Carter, Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, and Henri Veesaar are among the players Atlanta added this offseason.
Okongwu is still part of the group the Hawks will bring back for 2026-27. Atlanta's offseason moves have also left the team with a different-looking rotation around its returning young players.
Okongwu agreed to a four-year, $62 million extension in October 2023. The deal began in 2024-25 and runs through the 2027-28 season. He is scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency in 2028.
Before another season in Atlanta begins, Okongwu spent part of August back where his basketball career started.
