PROFESSIONAL CAREER

2020-21 SEASON: Appeared in 45 games (19 starts) during his rookie campaign with Orlando, averaging 7.8 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 2.2 apg. and 1.07 stlpg. in 25.2 minpg…Ranked among all NBA rookies in scoring (17th), rebounding (14th), assists (T-14th) and steals (6th).…As a starter, averaged 11.8 ppg., 4.7 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.53 stlpg. in 30.2 minpg….Led (or tied) the team in scoring four times and in assists six times…Scored in double figures 13 times and 20+ points once, including a career-high 22 points on Mar. 26 vs. Portland…Had 10+ rebounds once – a career-high 10 rebounds on Apr. 1 @ New Orleans…Had at least one steal 28 times and two-or-more steals 12 times, including a career-high four steals on Apr. 18 vs. Houston…Had at least one blocked shot 16 times and two-or-more blocks four times, including a career-high three blocks on Feb. 19 vs. Golden State and Apr. 14 @ Chicago…Made NBA debut on Dec. 23 vs. Miami, tallying three points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 22:00…Scored his first NBA points on a jumper with 3:45 left in the second quarter…Made first NBA start on Mar. 12 @ San Antonio, tallying eight points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in 27:12…Missed 27 games due to injury/illness: missed 16 games (Jan. 2-31) due to a bone bruise in his left knee, one game (Apr. 11) due to a sore right hip and 10 games (Apr. 30-May 16) due to a sprained left ankle. CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Selected by Orlando in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft.

BEFORE NBA

COLLEGE CAPSULE: Played in 72 career games (38 starts) during two seasons (2017-19) at Auburn University, averaging 9.9 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.28 stlpg. in 25.5 minpg., while shooting .389 (89-229) from three-point range…Named to the 2019 SEC All-Tournament Team and the 2019 All-Midwest Regional Team…As a sophomore (2018-19), appeared and started in 38 games, averaging 12.0 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.9 apg., 1.82 stlpg. and 1.21 blkpg. in 29.1 minpg., while shooting .387 (55-142) from three-point range…Led the Tigers in rebounding, steals (third in the SEC) and blocked shots…His 69 steals were the third-most in a season in Auburn history…Helped the Tigers reach the NCAA Final Four, but sustained a season-ending knee injury (torn left ACL) during their Sweet Sixteen win against North Carolina…During that contest, became the first Auburn player since 2000 and fifth ever to record 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in a NCAA Tournament game…As a freshman (2017-18), played in 34 games, averaging 7.5 ppg., 5.8 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 21.6 minpg….Finished fourth among SEC freshmen in rebounding…His 197 rebounds were the most by an Auburn freshman since 1984-85…Named SEC Freshman of the Week for the period ending Dec. 4.

PERSONAL LIFE

Full name is Chukwuma Julian Okeke…Born in Atlanta, Georgia…Chukwuma means “God knows”…Son of Chuka and Renee Okeke…Father, Chuka, is from Nigeria…During the summer of 2021, joined a basketball camp, presented by PepsiCo and directed by the National Basketball Academy, to assist the Boys & Girls Club youth with skills…Attended Westlake High School in Atlanta and led them to the 2016 Georgia Class 6A state championship as a junior…Named Mr. Basketball in Georgia in 2017 following his senior season…Favorite food is philly cheesesteaks…Favorite movie is Gridiron Gang...You can follow him on Twitter: @chuma_okeke and on Instagram: @chumaokeke_.

Chuma Okeke