One more transfer will don Carolina blue next season. West Virginia forward James Okonkwo committed to Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels on Thursday.

“After being in communication with the UNC coaching staff following my decision to enter the transfer portal, I have decided to commit to UNC to play for Coach Davis in the 2023-2024 season,” Okonkwo said. “I can’t wait to compete for a national championship at Chapel Hill and continue to develop my game. Let’s go Tar Heels!”

A late addition to the portal, Okonkwo decided to leave West Virginia after the resignation of head coach Bob Huggins in June. In two seasons with the Mountaineers, Okonkwo appeared in 34 games (31 of which came last season) and averaged 2.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

“We are thrilled to have James and his family join our UNC basketball family,” said head coach Hubert Davis. “We needed another experienced big man that could do multiple things on the floor, both offensively and defensively. James checks all those boxes. He’s also a wonderful kid, a great student and fits perfectly with the makeup of this team.”

The six-foot, nine-inch Okonkwo is the fifth transfer to join the Tar Heels this offseason, joining Paxson Wojcik (Brown), Jae’Lyn Withers (Louisville), Cormac Ryan (Notre Dame) and Harrison Ingram (Stanford). Okonkwo is the tallest of that quintet and will provide depth in the Carolina frontcourt behind Armando Bacot and Jalen Washington.

Even after Okonkwo’s commitment, Davis and the Tar Heels still have room to grow on their roster. Two scholarship spots remain open for the 2023-24 season.

 

Featured image via All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks

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