{"id":690927,"date":"2026-04-01T00:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T00:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/690927\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T00:52:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T00:52:17","slug":"onyeka-okongwus-evolution-with-hawks-puts-him-in-rare-tier-of-big-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/690927\/","title":{"rendered":"Onyeka Okongwu’s evolution with Hawks puts him in rare tier of big men"},"content":{"rendered":"

Atlanta Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu has become almost unrecognizable in his new role<\/a>. In his sixth season with the Hawks, the 25-year-old has embraced the three-point shot like never before, progressed as a playmaker, and has even made overall strides as a scorer.<\/p>\n

As a result, Okongwu has made it possible for Jalen Johnson to thrive at an All-NBA level<\/a> while simultaneously putting himself into a rare tier of big men.<\/p>\n

Okongwu is currently averaging 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.9 offensive rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. He’s one of just four NBA players currently averaging at least 2.0 three-point field goals, 1.0 block, and 1.0 steal per game.<\/p>\n

The other three are former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid, former All-Star Andrew Wiggins, and former All-Defense honoree Derrick White.<\/p>\n

Expand the criteria and Okongwu is the only player in the NBA averaging at least 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 block, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 three-point field goals made. He’s doing so while maintaining a high degree of efficiency, shooting at a clip of .484\/.378\/.755.<\/p>\n

If his numbers hold, Okongwu will become the sixth player in NBA history to average at least 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 block, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 three-point field goals made per game.<\/p>\n

Onyeka Okongwu is a 3-and-D big with unique complementary skills<\/p>\n

It’d be exceiting enough to note that the 6’10” big man is converting at a clip of 38.4 percent on catch-and-shoot threes. It’s a rather stunning development considering he’s already more than doubled his three-point field goal attempts from a season ago and is at a not-so-crazy 5.2 per game.<\/p>\n

In many respects, Okongwu has followed the Brook Lopez trajectory of evolving from a non-shooter into a high-volume and even high-efficiency option from the perimeter.<\/p>\n

Okongwu has been following the Brook Lopez jumper trajectory pic.twitter.com\/0t4EOVJDib<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ALL NBA Podcast (@ALLCITY_NBA) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Propelled by his surge in efficiency, conversions, and attempts, Okongwu has found himself in rare air. He’s no longer an enigma with untapped potential, but a player with tangible value in multiple phases of the game.<\/p>\n

That’s put him alongside the only other six players who have have averaged the aforementioned numbers: DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Victor Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

Perhaps Okongwu will never reach the same level of volume as a scorer that the other names managed. The fact that he can provide such well-rounded production to be mentioned in the same breath as those All-Stars, however, is a testament to the progress he’s made.<\/p>\n

With unique production, invaluable efficiency from beyond the arc, and a place in the 86th percentile in rim protection, per Basketball Index, Okongwu has become invaluable.<\/p>\n