James Okonkwo Injury News & Updates

Okonkwo has committed to transfer to North Carolina, Joe Tipton of On3.com reports.

Okonkwo decided to leave West Virginia when Bob Huggins was fired a couple weeks ago. He was a solid bench player for the Mountaineers where he averaged 2.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in just 10.9 minutes per contest. Now Okonkwo will look to play a similar role with the Tar Heels. Jae'Lyn Withers, Zayden High, and Jalen Washington will be his primary competition for minutes.

Okonko announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Monday via his personal Twitter account.

Okonkwo is set to leave the program after two seasons. The 6-foot-8 forward strictly entered off the bench last season, averaging 2.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. Okonkwo is a former three-star recruit leaving the team amidst a coaching change.

Okonkwo finished with zero points (0-1 FG) and one rebound over eight minutes during Saturday's 89-81 victory over Kansas State.

During the 2022-23 Mountaineers' tournament action, Okonkwo is expected to be a substitute who does not play much. He averaged 10.4 minutes across his 28 games between Nov. 7 and March 4. Because tournament games are expected to be competitive, the Mountaineers may have Jimmy Bell play more rather than alternating him with Okonkwo.

Okonkwo (ankle) is available for Saturday's game versus Kansas State, Blue Gold News reports.

Okonkwo is set to play Saturday after being considered questionable with an ankle injury. The sophomore forward was able to move around well at shootaround.

Okonkwo (ankle) is a game-time decision for Saturday's game against Kansas State, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

The sophomore is a game-time decision with an ankle injury. The forward is averaging 2.6 points and 3.0 rebounds this season. If Okonkwo does not return today, his next chance would be before the conference tournament begins.

Okonkwo (ankle) exited Monday's game with a right ankle injury, Jared MacDonald of Bowling Green Daily News reports.

Okonkwo was unable to return to the contest, and he logged just one rebound across one minute of action in the 72-69 win over Iowa State. The 6-foot-8 sophomore, who has averaged 2.6 points, three rebounds and 0.7 blocks on 10.5 minutes per game, will likely be a game-time decision for Saturday's showdown with Kansas State.

Okonkwo closed with 10 points (3-4 FG, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one block across 14 minutes during Saturday's 93-61 victory over Oklahoma.

Okonkwo posted the first double-double of his short career despite playing just 14 minutes. This was also his second game with double-digit rebounds this season, which was likely due to an increased number of opportunities given the extreme runaway nature of this game. His four field-goal attempts were also his second most of any game this season, so it's not worth putting much stock in this outlier performance for Okonkwo.

Okonkwo posted six points (1-1 FG, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 15 minutes during Saturday's 80-77 win over Auburn.

Okonkwo played at least 14 minutes for the third game in a row after averaging just 6.1 minutes per game across his previous nine outings. The 6-foot-8 sophomore has also provided a solid presence on the defensive end, logging five blocks and 18 rebounds (13 defensive) over this span. However, Okonkwo's overall contributions will likely remain limited unless he can break his way into the starting rotation.

Okonkwo (suspension) logged 15 minutes off the bench Friday against Pennsylvania, putting up four points (2-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt), five rebounds and a block.

Okonkwo returned after a one-game suspension due to a disciplinary problem, but even when he's available, he's not much of a fantasy factor. He's yet to play more than 15 minutes or score more than four points in any of his previous three contests.

Okonkwo did not play during West Virginia's game Tuesday because of a disciplinary problem, according to Blue Gold News.

Apparently, the disciplinary issue occurred right before West Virginia's 75-57 win Tuesday versus Morehead State. He will try to be available before WVU hosts Pennsylvania on Friday.

Okonkwo didn't play during Tuesday's 75-57 win over Morehead State.

There is no indication that Okonkwo has suffered any injury, so his absence from Tuesday's game appears to be a coaching decision. Okonkwo was averaging 2.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 12.0 minutes across the first two games of the season.

Okonkwo (foot) finished Saturday's 67-51 win over Radford with two points (1-2 FG) and two rebounds in five minutes.

Okonkwo was not long ago facing the possibility of a redshirt due to a foot injury, but he was able to make his debut Saturday. The freshman forward was efficient despite limited minutes, and could get a chance to see his role grow, given his health.

Okonkwo (foot) is facing the possibility of a redshirt for the 2021-22 season, Schuyler Callihan of Sports Illustrated reports.

The report cites a press conference with head coach Bob Huggins in which Huggins admits that the original plan was to redshirt Okonkwo, but that the 6-8 freshman impressed him enough for an early-season role to be in consideration. He then suffered a foot injury in late-September and there haven't been many updates since, though Huggins did note that "it's neither [a break or fracture]." He went on to explain in non-formal medical terms how two bones that were once together were ultimately separated, expressing uncertainty in what the recovery procedure looks like, as well as the original 5-to-6 week timeline. In the meantime, West Virginia has been starting a pair of underclassmen in freshman Isaiah Cottrell and sophomore Jalen Bridges at the two frontcourt positions, with seniors Dimon Carrigan and Gabe Osabuohien representing the first two off the bench.

Okonkwo (foot) is hoping to return to the court soon, SI.com reports.

Okonkwo suffered a foot injury a month ago and was expected to miss the first part of the season. The freshman was impressive in workouts over the summer and should have a chance to contribute once healthy and not have to redshirt.

Okonkwo (foot) didn't play in Friday's scrimmage versus Akron.

Okonkwo was a surprise inclusion in warmups prior to the game, though it's unclear to what extent he was participating. He should be considered questionable, at best, for the season opener considering he was expected to miss at least the first month of the season initally.

Okonkwo (foot) is taking part in warmups ahead of Friday's exhibition versus Akron, Blue Gold News reports.

It was reported that Okonwko would be set to miss the first month-plus of the season due to a broken bone in his foot, so it's surprising, to say the least, that he's able to participate in warmups. It remains to be seen if he will actually see the floor in the contest, but it's certainly a good sign regarding his health with the season drawing close.

Okonkwo will miss the first or so of the 2021-22 season due to a broken bone in his foot, Jeff Goodman of WatchStadium.com reports.

Coach Bob Huggins praised Okonkwo as an "all-league player down the road," suggesting he thinks highly of the freshman big. However, Okonkwo's freshman campaign will get a delayed start because of the injury, leaving the Mountaineers down some depth in the frontcourt.