If you’re a kid interested in basketball, it sure is convenient if an NBA player grew up nearby.
Just ask the kids who took part in last weekend’s basketball camp in Chino.
Onyeka Okongwu, who plays center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, speaks Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, to youths on the first day of a two-day basketball camp at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. Okongwu is a native of nearby Chino Hills. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Onyeka Okongwu, who plays center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, leaps towards the basket Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, during a basketball camp at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Onyeka Okongwu, who plays for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, works with youths Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at a basketball camp at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Participants run though a drill Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, during a basketball camp hosted by Onyeka Okongwu of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Audrey Vu, a 9-year-old Chino Hills resident, takes part in a drill Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at a basketball camp hosted by the NBA’s Onyeka Okongwu at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Onyeka Okongwu, who plays center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, speaks Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at a basketball camp at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. Okongwu is a native of nearby Chino Hills. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Tristan Butler, a 10-year-old Menifee resident, races toward the basket during a Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, basketball camp hosted by Onyeka Okongwu, who plays for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu, works with youths Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, on the first day of a two-day basketball camp at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Youths focus on footwork during a drill during a Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, basketball camp hosted by the Atlanta Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Children wait for a drill during a Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, basketball camp in Chino hosted by Onyeka Okongwu, who plays center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Participants in a basketball camp hosted by the Atlanta Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu huddle in between drills at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Children do a dribbling drill at a Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, basketball camp in Chino hosted by Onyeka Okongwu, who plays center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Onyeka Okongwu, who plays center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, is seen Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at a Chino basketball camp for youths. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Onyeka Okongwu, who plays center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, speaks to youths Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at a basketball camp he hosted at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Joey Love, a 15-year-old Chino Hills resident, races across the court during a dribbling drill during a Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, basketball camp hosted by the Atlanta Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu officiates a scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at his basketball camp at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. Okongwu is a native of nearby Chino Hills. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Onyeka Okongwu, who plays center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, speaks Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, to youths on the first day of a two-day basketball camp at the Ranch Sports Facility in Chino. Okongwu is a native of nearby Chino Hills. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
It was run by Onyeka Okongwu, who plays forward and center for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks — and is a native of nearby Chino Hills.
The former Chino Hills High School star was in town Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, to host the event and give back to his community.
During the sessions at the Ranch Sports Facility, Okongwu ran youths through a series of drills, from dribbling to shooting, a news release states. There were also fun competitions and mini games. It was open to boys and girls between 6 and 16 years old.
Before his professional career, Okongwu helped Chino Hills win three CIF State championships. In 2020, the school retired his No. 21 jersey.
He played for USC, was drafted sixth overall by the Hawks in the 2020 NBA draft and is now heading into his seventh season with the Hawks.