Mycampusplug
News Report: UNC Basketball Giant Shocks Fans, Transfers to MAC Program
James Okonkwo, who played for West Virginia for two seasons, decided to go to Chapel Hill only last year. But the 6-foot-8, 240-pound junior didn’t play much for the UNC basketball team—he only made 15 appearances before deciding to go on the road once more.
The native of England now seems to have found a new home as he returns to the Midwest, teaming up with a former comrade.
According to a report on Saturday by national college basketball insider Jeff Goodman, Okonkwo and former teammate Seth Wilson will be transferring to play for Akron the next season.
After losing four starters to graduation, the Zips, who finished first in the Mid-American Conference Tournament before losing to Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, will have an abundance of minutes at their disposal.
And when Okonkwo gets to college, he’ll probably be hoping to fill the minutes that two of those seniors, Ali Ali and Enrique Freeman, will be leaving behind in the frontcourt. Last season, Freeman tied the NCAA record set by David Robinson of Navy and Armando Bacot of UNC basketball with 31 double-doubles.
Okonkwo’s eligibility will last for an additional two years. Okonkwo played in just 15 games during his one and only season at UNC, averaging just 1.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 2.9 minutes a game. During his eight minutes of action, he ended with seven points and four rebounds, which was his finest performance as a Tar Heel versus Charleston Southern.
