Onyeka Okongwu wants to progress at his own pace

Last season, Onyeka Okongwu doubled his playing time from 12 to 21 minutes per game, and he justified that confidence by nearly doubling his stats: from 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds, to 8.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. A progression that he intends to confirm as he enters his third season at the Hawks.

” People are going to have expectations of me, and I have expectations of myself.” explains the interior. ” Management has expectations, and that’s what really matters… My expectations, what my team wants me to do… Obviously, I try to add what I can, but I don’t want to go too fast. “

For Clint Capela’s understudy, there are many areas for improvement, and his GM, Travis Schlenk, expects him to improve on defensive rebounding, reading pick-and-rolls and defending wide.

All while having a reliable shot at 3-4 meters, and why not a 3-point shot in the corners. But the interested party warns that he will do it at his own pace.

” My philosophy is to keep the essential “he assures. ” You know, I got to this point for a reason. I was drafted by this team for a reason. So, I make sure to do what I know how to do, but adding something every year. Every year I just add a little something. I strive to be the player I want to be later, whether it’s shooting or dribbling. I try to be a complete player, to touch everything on the field, in attack as in defense. And above all, I try to be in the best shape possible. Because my game is really based on my physique.“

A physique that has played tricks on him since his arrival in the NBA with less than 100 games played in two years.