"I can do stuff out there that’s unique.": Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu on his defense, why winning the Bob Lanier award matters (Exclusive)

As he has shown steady growth at seemingly everything in his first five NBA seasons, what potential does Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu have?

“You never want to try to articulate a ceiling or a floor, in my mind, for a player,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “Onyeka has got really good instincts for the game.”

Okongwu hasn’t exactly become an elite NBA player after the Hawks selected him at No. 6 in the 2020 NBA Draft after starring for one season at USC. Nonetheless, Okongwu has become increasingly reliable in a reserve role.

Okongwu has used his 6-foot-10, 240-pound frame to become a versatile defender with both bigger frontcourt players and smaller shooters. Though Okongwu has shot only 22.4% from 3-point range, he has impressed Snyder for his openness to expand his game. The Hawks (18-18) enter Tuesday’s game against the Utah Jazz (9-25) with Okongwu averaging a career-high 11.2 points on 54.7% shooting and 6.8 rebounds per game.

“There’s a lot of things I think that he’s able to improve on with more experience and exposure,” Snyder said. “That’s exciting for a young player.”

Okongwu spoke to Sportskeeda about his growth, why he considers himself a unique defender and on chances of winning the NBA’s ‘Bob Lanier Community Assist Award.’

Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed

What explains your strong start?

Okongwu: “Confidence, aggressiveness and being healthy and being in shape. I’m taking care of my body. I’m drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated. There’s a lot of different variables that explain my success this year. We’re younger. I feel like I have a lot more energy out there. Everyone is having fun. It’s about being disciplined, man. Sticking with the habits and routine, and sticking with what has been successful for you.”

What did that preparation look like?

Okongwu: “I was rehabbing this offseason. I feel like every offseason that I’m dealing with something. This year, I did it on my toe. So I took care of myself with getting ready for this year. Over the summer, I was working on my hips and my toe strength. I was trying to make sure I could straighten everything else in my body with my hips, quad muscles, everything. I feel like everything is in alignment. It’s all related.

Once the season started, I tried to make sure I stayed on top of things. I’m also eating right. Taking care of my body helps, too. I don’t want to inflame my body anymore and have things flare up. I’m avoiding stuff that’s fried and oils, stuff like that. I make sure I stay on top of my stuff.”

Quin said you have really good instincts for the game. Where does that come from?

Okongwu: “I’ve been playing basketball for a while. I know what I have to do on the court. I’m not the biggest. But I use my strengths to my advantage with my athleticism, my quickness and my smarts. That’s what I do best.”

What’s it like having to deal with bigger guys?

Okongwu: “I’m a professional. That doesn’t faze me. I’m in the league for a reason. I always make sure I stay confident out there and that nobody can hold me. That’s the mentality that I have.”

You said on a podcast that you can be one of the best shotblockers in the league. Why do you feel that way?

Okongwu: “That’s been installed in me since I’ve been a youth. I’ve had coaches that always preached defense. That’s what I feel like that I’m good at. I’m a ball player. I feel like I can do stuff out there that’s unique. I’ll just continue to work hard.”

What did it mean to you to win the ‘Bob Lanier Community Assist Award?’

Okongwu: “It means a lot. It’s a testament to my genuineness and how I am as a person. I always love helping people out. I’ve dealt with a lot in my life. And I just want to continue to be good person and be faithful. I’m a Christian, first. I always stay true to myself.”

Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.