NBA Draft 2020: Draft Prospect Onyeka Okongwu Opens Up On Possibly Joining Boston Celtics

USC Basketball player Onyeka Okongwu is turning heads. The player is entering the 2020 NBA Draft as one of the highly touted prospects. Okongwu is one of the few players in the 2020 NBA Draft that has, according to analysts, a great upside.

Onyeka Okongwu is a power forward that stands at 6’9, 245 pounds. This past season, Okongwu averaged around 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. He even averaged close to 25% from the three-point line.

One of the advantages of a player like Okongwu is that he can also double as a center. Although he is under 6’10, he can easily be slotted as a mobile center in a team that employs a small-ball system.

Additionally, Okungwu has the size and speed to be a great lob finisher on a team that plays that way. His significant reach helps him in smash down lobs put up for him. Additionally, Okongwu is a good defender, which is reflected in his per-game steal and block numbers.

Okongwu has the #5 rank on the ESPN Draft Board, and many mock drafts are projecting Okongwu to at least be a top-10 NBA Draft pick. There is a litany of teams in the top-10 that will be planning to draft Okongwu with their pick.

Onyeka Okongwu – Celtics Bound?

Onyeka Okongwu recently came forward on his press day to talk about where his potential landing destination could be. Okongwu seemed to think that he would fit well with the Boston Celtics.

“A player like me, I feel like I can fit anywhere…No matter what team or organization in the NBA due to my defensive versatility and my offensive upside and potential. Playing with Boston, your players like Kemba Walker, [Jaylen] Brown, and [Jayson] Tatum. I definitely feel like if I were to be drafted by Boston, I’d definitely fit into that young core they have.”

Celtics fans will be overjoyed with the words of Okongwu. But they must remember that they only have the 14th and the 25th pick in the first round. But the comments from Okongwu could make the Celtics consider using those picks to move up the draft into the top-10. Given that they have two first-round picks, they can use another piece (maybe Gordon Hayward) to break into the top 10. If they do so, they stand a legitimate chance to land Okongwu.

It will be interesting to see where Okongwu lands in the 2020 Draft, and who the Boston Celtics acquire as well. The 2020 NBA Draft takes place on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.