Akron Big Man Transfer James Okonkwo Has Signed With The Runnin’ Utes

SALT LAKE CITY – Alex Jensen and his Utah basketball program just landed the second transfer portal commitment of the cycle in Akron big man James Okonkwo, who has already signed with the program.

A veteran big man from Maidenhead, England, Okonkwo played a big role for the MAC champions this season. His experience will provide a veteran presence in the locker room.

Okonkwo started his career at West Virginia before transferring to North Carolina and then to Akron. Now, after his most productive season, he’ll join the Runnin’ Utes.

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James Okonkwo commits to Utah basketball

At 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, Okonkwo has the athleticism and length to impact the game on both ends of the floor.

He’ll serve as a rugged big man who can finish at the rim and affect shots on the defensive end. Perhaps most importantly, he’ll knock down free throws at a decent rate.

With the Zips, Okonkwo averaged 6.9 points and 7.2 rebounds while converting 59.3% from the field and 67% from the free throw line.

Utah has plenty of roster space, and Okonkwo is a solid addition. He comes to Utah with a lot of playing experience and comes from a winning situation at Akron.

Okonkwu played two seasons in the Big 12 with West Virginia. That adds a bit of intrigue around his development since then and what sort of impact he’ll make at Utah next season.

Utah continues to build out the roster

As Jensen and his staff rebuilt the roster, Dawes’s withdrawal from the transfer portal provided Utah with a foundational piece. Utah also welcomed back Ibi Traore, and will add Alvin Jackson to the roster as well.

Terrence Brown was the first transfer portal commitment of the cycle. He’s a dynamic combo guard capable of creating his own offense or for others rather efficiently. With the addition of Okonkwo, Jensen has added a veteran big man who still has potential to tap into.

The Runnin’ Utes must continue to secure players who will help them compete in the Big 12 next season, but more importantly, have room to grow under Jensen and his staff.

Utah will soon welcome additional visitors to campus and have a good chance to add a couple more pieces to the puzzle. With the ten spots to fill, Utah has plenty of work to do to.

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Setting the Tone: Utah’s Culture Starts with Defense

Roster building is urgent—but culture is permanent. Jensen isn’t just recruiting players. He’s building a program, and that starts with identity. For Utah, that identity will start on the defensive end.

“I want to build something, I don’t want to build a new team every year, but build some continuity that way,” Alex Jensen said in an interview with NCAA reporter Andy Katz.

“Watching Houston make their run, Kelvin [Sampson] does such a good job, he gets his guys to play so hard,” Jensen shared.  “That’s something the assistants I’ve hired talk about. That’s who we measure ourselves to and we’ve got to get kids that are tough like that and compete like them.”

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In Jensen’s vision, the Runnin’ Utes will be a disciplined, gritty, tough, defensive-minded program. Think closeouts with purpose. Rotations with urgency. Contests without fouling. Utah isn’t going to outgun everyone—they’ll out-tough them.