UNC Basketball Program Loses Big Man to Transfer Portal

As a sophomore at West Virginia in 2022-23, James Okonkwo played 31 games and led the Mountaineers in blocked shots. But this past season, the 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward from England made only 15 appearances for Hubert Davis' third UNC basketball team, averaging 1.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 2.9 minutes per outing.

So, with another year of eligibility remaining, it's no surprise that Okonkwo is seeking a bigger role elsewhere by entering the transfer portal, as first reported by 24/7 High School Hoops on Friday morning.

The news marks the first of any kind this offseason for the Tar Heels, who could see several more departures to the transfer portal or pro ranks in the coming weeks.

NEWS: North Carolina forward James Okonkwo is entering the transfer portal, per source.

Okonkwo is a native of Maidenhead, England who played just one season at UNC. He began his career playing two seasons at West Virginia.

He averaged 1.0PPG in 15 games played this season. pic.twitter.com/tcCp3e44IM
— 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) April 5, 2024

And chances are Davis and his staff will fill out their 2024-25 roster by adding at least a couple of veteran transfers to join their three-deep 2024 recruiting class, featuring two five-stars and McDonald's All-Americans in guard Ian Jackson and forward Drake Powell, along with four-star center James Brown.

As things stand, the UNC basketball program has five open scholarships for next season. Again, though, that number may change, depending on what guys like RJ Davis, Harrison Ingram, and others decide to do.

Of course, there's a chance that the 20-year-old James Okonkwo returns to Chapel Hill after exploring his options in the portal. However, such a move is rare.

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI for more UNC basketball news.