Former West Virginia Center James Okonkwo plans to visit Texas A&M
Heading into the 2023-2024 season, the Texas A&M Basketball roster is loaded at nearly every position, as Head Coach Buzz Williams is well-equipped to make a second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament After finishing last season with an impressive 25-10 (15-3 SEC) record, while four out of five starters are slated to return, headlined by All-SEC guard, Wade Taylor IV.
Joining Taylor, senior guard Tyrece “Boots” Radford with return for his final season, while forwards Henry Coleman III and Julius Marble will look to once again handle the front court. Outside of guards Manny Obaseki and Hayden Hefner, depth was sorely needed in the backcourt, leading to Williams’ scouring the transfer portal and eventually landing with crucial additions such as Jace Carter and Eli Lawrence.
With more depth needed behind Coleman and Marble, reserve forward Andersson Garcia may be the most critical rotational big man in the country, but as the season wears on, an extra body to quell his minutes can’t hurt. This all leads to Sunday’s news that sophomore center James Okonkwo, who recently played for West Virginia, will reportedly visit North Carolina and Texas A&M, according to his brother, first reported by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.
West Virginia transfer James Okonkwo plans to visit both North Carolina and Texas A&M, per his brother.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 2, 2023
Okonkwo is a four-star prospect out of the 2021 cycle, one of eight former West Virginia players who have transferred from the program this year after the arrest and eventual resignation of Mountaineer Head Coach Bob Huggins. While only averaging 2.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11 minutes per game, Okonkwo led the team with 22 blocks, which undoubtedly excited Buzz Williams and his staff.
The bottom line is that James Okonkwo is a blue-chip prospect with an immensely high ceiling, and even though the Aggies will be competing with the likes of North Carolina, Texas A&M Basketball is on the rise, and players are noticing.
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