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Although UNC transfer James Okonwko struggled to score in Great Britain’s FIBA U20 European Championships Division B finale, he showed off his passing skills. After collecting only three assists in the first six games, the 6–8, 240-pound former West Virginia player dished out a team-high four assists as the British team lost to Switzerland 82–73 in its final consolation-bracket game in Skopje, North Macedonia.
James Okonkwo scored 18 points, his highest total of the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B, but it wasn’t enough for his Great Britain team in the first of two consolation-bracket games. After playing before a packed arena in a quarterfinal loss Friday to host North Macedonia, it was back to a mostly-empty Sports Centre Boris Trajkovski arena in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Saturday as the Netherlands pulled out an 82–78 victory over the British team.
UNC transfer big man James Okonkwo produced his fourth double-double in five games, but it wasn’t enough to advance his Great Britain team at the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B. Okonkwo collected 16 points, 10 rebounds, two 3-pointers, two blocks and a steal in the British team’s 66–49 loss to host North Macedonia (4–1) in the quarterfinals at the SRC Kale arena in Skopje, North Macedonia.
This weekend, you’ll get three more chances to watch Carolina junior transfer James Okonkwo play for Great Britain at the FIBA European Championships Division B in Skopje, North Macedonia. Okonkwo has averaged a double-double through four games at 11.8 points and 10.8 rebounds, leading his team in both categories. His rebounding average and 14.5 rebounds per 40 minutes both are second in the tournament.
If any player could threaten at least one of Brendan Haywood’s school blocked-shot records, incoming junior transfer James Okonkwo might be the guy. While producing his third double-double in four games at the FIBA European Championships Division B, the big man who is transferring from West Virginia to Carolina swatted away six shots in Great Britain’s 57–54 victory Tuesday over Hungary at KRC Kale arena in Skopje, North Macedonia.
The young United States team could deal with any challenge it faced at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup — except a veteran group from Brazil. As a result, UNC senior guard Deja Kelly had to settle for a silver medal. The Americans, with seven players making their senior international debuts and no player older than 22, suffered their second tournament loss to the seasoned Brazilians, 69–58 in Sunday’s gold medal game at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico.
Big man James Okonkwo, who is transferring from West Virginia to Carolina, showed off his inside scoring prowess on Sunday. Okonkwo collected 19 points and 13 rebounds in his second double-double of the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B, but his Great Britain team lost to Luxembourg 67–60 at the mostly empty Boris Trajkovski Sports Center in Skopje, North Macedonia.
Deja Kelly and the United States team fought off a tough Canada squad Saturday night to earn a spot in FIBA Women’s AmeriCup gold-medal game. Kelly scored eight points and made some big plays down the stretch as the Americans held on for a 67–63 victory at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico, and will face Brazil (6–0) in the Sunday’s gold-medal game at 6:30 p.m. ET.
It was a tough day for James Okonkwo’s Great Britain team in a nearly empty gym in Skopje, North Macedonia, far from the atmosphere he’ll see in the ACC next season. The British team lost to Portugal 63–56 on the second day of pool play at the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B. Portugal led by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Deja Kelly’s United States team advanced to the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup semifinals on Friday, coasting to a victory over Colombia. The Americans’ first eight baskets came from eight players as they took control early and coasted to a 68–49 win in a quarterfinal game at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico.
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