A former basketball player from UNC announces his third transfer.

James Okonkwo Chooses Utah for Final Year of Eligibility

Veteran forward James Okonkwo, who has spent time at several college programs, has announced that he’ll finish his collegiate career with the Utah Utes.

After transferring to North Carolina ahead of the 2023–24 season, Okonkwo struggled to find consistent minutes, appearing in just 15 games and logging an average of 2.9 minutes per outing. Looking for a larger role, the 6-foot-8, 240-pound big man moved to Akron, where he became a key piece for the Zips. During his one season there, he averaged 6.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game, helping lead the team to a MAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Now, Okonkwo is on the move once again, committing to Utah over the weekend. This marks the fourth stop in his college journey, which began at West Virginia. There, he redshirted his first year before earning rotation minutes as a sophomore. His transfer to Utah also marks a return to the Big 12, the conference where his NCAA career began.

Meanwhile, UNC head coach Hubert Davis and his staff remain busy in the portal, having added three transfers so far, including recent Colorado State guard Kyan Evans.