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Detroit Pistons 2020 Draft Profile: USC’s Onyeka Okongwu

By Brendan Triola

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 19: USC Trojans forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) drives to the basket during a college basketball game between the Pepperdine Waves and the USC Trojans on November 19, 2019 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 19: USC Trojans forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) drives to the basket during a college basketball game between the Pepperdine Waves and the USC Trojans on November 19, 2019 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 22: Onyeka Okongwu #21 of the USC Trojans gets past Quinton Rose #1 of the Temple Owls for a dunk in the second half at Galen Center on November 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 22: Onyeka Okongwu #21 of the USC Trojans gets past Quinton Rose #1 of the Temple Owls for a dunk in the second half at Galen Center on November 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Strengths

Okongwu is freakishly athletic, especially considering his frame of 6-foot-9, 245 pounds. Okongwu moves graciously across the floor, is able to to contest shots at the rim, while also having the quickness and agility to stay in front of forwards.

Through 14 games, Okongwu is averaging 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, all with a true shooting percentage of 64.1% (sixth in the Pac-12).

Okongwu has already looked extremely comfortable on the offensive end. Okongwu has excellent touch around the rim, and his leaping ability allows him to dunk the ball at an incredible rate.

He has also drawn a ton of contact and has shot 70% from the free throw line. He has already taken 72 free throws in 14 games, and getting to the line is an ability that often translates to the next level.

trade rumors. The Pistons should trade for Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma. light

Okongwu leads the Pac-12 in offensive rebounds. Despite the poor schedule that USC has played against, he has destroyed almost every team that has gotten in his way.

Okongwu is extremely explosive, but also has great touch. Although he is more of a traditional post scorer than a “modern-day big”, he certainly has the athletic tools to continue to improve his game on the offensive end. After all, he is only 19 years old.

One NBA Comparison that has been used to describe Okongwu’s game is Bam Adebayo. Both players are similarly undersized for the center position. Adebayo’s guard-like skill at getting to the rim is what NBA scouts are hoping Okongwu is able to bring to the table, and he has done nothing but impress with his touch around the basket.