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. 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. Yea! But Okongwu becomes bashful when speaking about his aspirations beyond college. 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. 21 as his jersey number since 2014. Against Pepperdine, he made 17 of 21 free throws and scored a season-high 33 points. 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 … 21 basketball jersey worn by himself and other brother Nnamdi at … 21 jersey, he upholds the promise inscribed on the bracelet. 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 didn’t think ahead enough to imagine himself as a one-and-done prospect. 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. “We could tell right then he was just a winner,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. He can shoot a little bit, can finish around the paint. He became closer with his younger siblings, Chukwuemeka, now 16, and Chinemya, 12. In 2014, Nnamdi suffered a brain injury in a skateboarding accident and died after spending three days on life support. He wore a special bracelet at USC to honor Nnamdi who passed away after a skateboarding accident at […] With their leading scorer and rebounder day-to-day, the Trojans (11-2) begin Pac-12 play Friday at Washington State. We will never forget you.”. Onyenka Okongwu reacts when his brother Chukwuemeka scores before the retiring of the No. Since his death, Onyeka has been wearing the number #21 jersey in the loving memory of his brother. This sparked a beautiful relationship that lasts until this day. 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. He is a star and sixth choice in the NBA Draft He coached Nnamdi before his death and remained with the school when his younger brother came months later. He misses his family when he’s at school, even if they’re just a drive on the 60 freeway away. Okongwu was at the hospital when she was born. Other times, opponents can do nothing but foul. Both Onyeka and his older brother fell in love with the game at an early age. He was born to parents Mike Okongwu and Kate Okongwu. (Photo by … Okongwu – who wears uniform No. Baik spoke about how much it meant to coach Nnamdi’s brother after getting to know him during their time together. 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. His mom tells him to live in the moment. “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. 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. Baik explained: “[Nnamdi] used to tell me he had a brother that was going to be very good, probably better than him. CBS combines news, TV stations group and taps new leaders after Times investigation. 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. He was placed 3 days on life support before he passed away. Okongwu has overpowered opponents with an array of post moves, tidy footwork and scoop layups with either hand. “He always brings it,” Mobley said. Nnamdi died in … Kate explained that God wanted some people to come home a little earlier than others. One morning, he texted his brother and was surprised when he never texted back. Cuh! He was only 17 years old and had finished his second season playing varsity basketball at Chino Hills less than four months prior. Okongwu had to grow up fast after losing his brother to a freak skateboarding accident. Times staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this story. 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 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. 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. He cuts down the lane in a flash and teammates find him for open shots. 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, Okongwu was drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Hawks during the 2020 NBA Draft. Fit with Wizards: There is no denying that the Wizards 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. From his wife or girlfriend to things such as his tattoos, cars, houses, salary & net worth. Are the unhoused serving as guinea pigs for architect’s design experiments? 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. 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. Okongwu had worn the number 21 jersey in honor of his brother, who had worn the same number while playing basketball. He spoke about the drive he gets paying tribute to his late brother when first entering Chino Hills. He’s done that and more. 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. Mother unraveled in depression, QAnon-style conspiracies in months before she killed 3 kids. 6 overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. 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. He’s solid.”. Our columnist visits L.A.'s new wave of shelter solutions. The tragedy of Nnamdi’s death affected the basketballer deeply. In 2014, his brother Nnamdi Okongwu suffered from a brain injury in a skateboarding accident which took the life of his brother. Can money from Silicon Valley save low-cost housing in South L.A.. The tragedy of Nnamdi’s death affected the basketballer deeply. 21 jersey and won three state titles with the Huskies (2016, 2018 and 2019). 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. The 19-year-old played hard and was chosen by the Atlanta Hawks. “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. That day, the Okongwu family learned that Nnamdi, Onyeka’s older brother of four years, had been in a skateboarding accident in Chino Hills. Nnamdi died three days later from brain injuries. Onyeka Okongwu’s Girlfriend Onyeka Okongwu is single.He is not dating anyone currently. Okongwu had to grow up fast after losing his brother to a freak skateboarding accident. “I want to make him proud,” Onyeka said after an afternoon practice. He died in 2014 in a skateboarding accident. RELATED: The Worst NBA Draft Class Ever Was Tragically Cursed. USC freshman Onyeka Okongwu, a potential top-10 draft pick this summer, wears a bracelet and the No. He asked his mom why his brother, a good person, had to die. About Onyeka Okongwu Onyeka Okongwu is a gifted athlete whose improved frame, budding feel inside, and versatility on the defensive end helped him … © Copyright 2021 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. “Not a great athlete, but a good athlete. Okongwu was drafted … Okongwu’s older brother, Nnamdi, had also played basketball. Okongwu has made 62.4% of his shots (83 of 133). Onyeka Okongwu takes the black silicone band off his wrist and kisses the lime green words: “Nnamdi Okongwu #21. Nnamdi died that day. Wuuuuuu!”. in his collegiate debut against Florida A&M, California community college enrollment plummets, putting some campuses at risk. I want to do something great that he never had the chance to do.”. “Hopefully he’s proud of me,” Okongwu said. “I’ll just need to focus on the pick and roll coverages,” Okongwu said. Onyeka had a successful year at USC and went sixth overall in the 2020 draft. He was entering his senior year at Chino Hills High and earning scholarship interest from Division I colleges. As a freshman, Okongwu started on the undefeated team that finished first in national polls for high school teams. In the NBA, Onyeka can further pay tribute to his brother on the biggest stage. 17 in the NBA to honor his older brother, Nnamdi, who died in 2014. “I’m wearing this number for somebody,” Okongwu said. Okongwu has been inspired to succeed since his older brother Nnamdi died from a skateboard accident in 2014. O! He was born to parents Mike Okongwu and Kate Okongwu. 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. To Kate, that process started years before when he received the news of Nnamdi’s passing. Chinemya plays volleyball. 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