The Atlanta Hawks have selected USC forward/center Onyeka Okongwu with the sixth pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.
As a freshman last season, Okongwu, 19, quickly emerged as the Trojans best player, starting in all 28 games and averaging 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks on 61 percent shooting and was named first-team All Pac-12.
"He's an unbelievable person," general manager Travis Schlenk said. "He's a very, very good defensive basketball player. He can protect the rim, rebound and he's a very good pick-and-roll center and very good instincts in that.
"He's got unbelievable hands, he catches everything. He's got the 7-foot wingspan and he can run the floor, so we're really excited about him. He's a good free throw shooter so we think with time he's going to be able to extend his range."
It's possible that Okongwu has to miss training camp and some of the regular season due to a fractured left toe that was discovered in October, but NBA doctors have said it shouldn't have any long-term effects.
Okongwu already has high expectations coming to Atlanta.
"Obviously we want to be able to make the playoffs," Okongwu said. "I want to be able to be impactful but to go into the East, go to the playoffs. I want to really help this team out."
Okongwu played high school ball in California at Chino Hills and was a two-time California Mr. Basketball winner while helping Chino Hills wins three state titles alongside LaMelo Ball, who was the third overall selection in the draft.
In his personal life, Okongwu went through a horrible tragedy when his older brother, Nmadi, died after falling off his skateboard in 2014 and suffering brain damage. Okongwu wears the No. 21 for him, who wore the same number when he played basketball.
Okongwu is expected to join the young Hawks core and be apart of a frontcourt that consists of John Collins and Clint Capela.