James Okonkwo Commits to UNC

North Carolina gains another portal player!

On Thursday, James Okonkwo announced his commitment to North Carolina. The former West Virginia big man entered the portal just last week. Since then, he received interest from a number of schools before announcing that he would visit North Carolina and Texas A&M. The Aggies then gained another player, filling up on scholarships. This left just UNC for the big man. Although he has not visited yet (he is from England and participating in games for the country), he was ready to pledge to Hubert Davis.

Who is Okonkwo?

An athletic big man with tons of potential, Okonkwo is a good rebounder and shot blocker. He has shown that ability in limited minutes with West Virginia. He did not play much his freshman year, as he dealt with injuries. Last season, he averaged 11 minutes a game, putting up 2.5 points and 3.2 rebounds. With time, he has the frame and athleticism to blossom into a good prospect.

What does this mean for UNC?

With Okonkwo committing, the Tar Heels have two scholarships available. InsideCarolina reported that they are recruiting players. Okonkwo gives North Carolina extra depth and another body in practice. Should someone go down, Okonkwo can step up and make his presence felt. This is an all around good move for both sides, as UNC gains depth and Okonkwo joins a thin front court. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

With two scholarships left, North Carolina does not have much time to add players.

Thank you for reading CarolinaHQ. Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and stories about the Tar Heels. For feedback, questions, concerns or to apply for a writing position, please email us at thecarolinahq@gmail.com or direct message us on Twitter at @TheCarolinaHQ. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the fastest-growing North Carolina sports sites!