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Onyeka Okongwu Named A 2020 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Finalist
February 07, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Features
USC freshman forward Onyeka Okongwu is one of 10 finalists for the 2020 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award given out to the nation's top collegiate center, it was announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame today (Feb . 7). Â
"The athletes on this list model many of the traits that made Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a world-class player," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "Mr. Abdul-Jabbar is unmatched when it comes to his accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional level. As an advocate for education and character, he brings a unique perspective when evaluating talent and we greatly value his input throughout this process."
The 6-9 Okongwu is averaging 17.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game, while shooting 60.8 percent from the floor and 74.6 percent from the free throw line. Okongwu ranks tied for eighth in the country in total blocks and blocks per game and 19th in the country in field goal percentage. Among all freshmen nationally, he ranks first in total blocks (65), second in blocks per game (2.96) and goal percentage (60.8 percent), third in offensive rebounds per game (3.36), tied for fourth in double-doubles (9), fifth in free throws made (91), tied for fifth in rebounds per game (9.0) and in total field goals (141) , sixth in points per game (17.0) and eighth in total points (373).
The native of Chino, Calif. ranks among most offensive categories on USC's all-time freshman top 10 list and currently has the best shooting percentage ever by a Trojan freshman and is four blocks away from tying Taj Gibson's school freshman record of 69 blocks.
In March the list will be trimmed to five finalist who will be presented to Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented at the College Basketball Awards Show in Los Angeles on April 10,
The Starting Five Fan Voting will go live on February 7 via hoophallawards.com/men/vote.php.
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"The athletes on this list model many of the traits that made Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a world-class player," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "Mr. Abdul-Jabbar is unmatched when it comes to his accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional level. As an advocate for education and character, he brings a unique perspective when evaluating talent and we greatly value his input throughout this process."
The 6-9 Okongwu is averaging 17.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game, while shooting 60.8 percent from the floor and 74.6 percent from the free throw line. Okongwu ranks tied for eighth in the country in total blocks and blocks per game and 19th in the country in field goal percentage. Among all freshmen nationally, he ranks first in total blocks (65), second in blocks per game (2.96) and goal percentage (60.8 percent), third in offensive rebounds per game (3.36), tied for fourth in double-doubles (9), fifth in free throws made (91), tied for fifth in rebounds per game (9.0) and in total field goals (141) , sixth in points per game (17.0) and eighth in total points (373).
The native of Chino, Calif. ranks among most offensive categories on USC's all-time freshman top 10 list and currently has the best shooting percentage ever by a Trojan freshman and is four blocks away from tying Taj Gibson's school freshman record of 69 blocks.
In March the list will be trimmed to five finalist who will be presented to Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented at the College Basketball Awards Show in Los Angeles on April 10,
The Starting Five Fan Voting will go live on February 7 via hoophallawards.com/men/vote.php.
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