Onyeka Okongwu had a breakout season last year, emerging as a strong starting center after replacing Clint Capela in the starting lineup halfway through the year. Okongwu averaged 15.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks a night while shooting 36.2% from three and 64.7% from two-point range. Okongwu was a bright spot in what was otherwise a dark period of Atlanta Hawks basketball following Jalen Johnson’s injury and the De’Andre Hunter trade.
Zach Lowe took note of this improvement and named Okongwu as his favorite to win the Sixth Man of the Year award this season.