Onyeka Okongwu Reportedly Recovering from Fractured Toe Injury Ahead of Draft

USC forward Onyeka Okongwu, one of the top prospects in the 2020 NBA draft, is reportedly recovering from a fractured left big toe, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported the news from two NBA sources Wednesday, noting Okongwu may miss training camp and possibly the start of his rookie season. However, per Givony, the injury is not expected to impact Okongwu's status for the regular season.

Okongwu is expected to need one to three additional weeks of rest, according to Givony.

Multiple NBA teams told Givony that they have been aware of the injury "for some time." Those teams do not expect Okongwu's draft stock to be "materially impacted" nor do they expect the injury to be a long-term issue. 

Okongwu was terrific during his only collegiate season with the Trojans. He averaged 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 1.2 steals and 1.1 assists while shooting 61.6 percent from the field in 28 games.

The biggest question heading into the draft isn't his talent level but rather where he's going to fit in the modern NBA. While his size (6'9'', 245 pounds) is that of an old-school power forward, the evolution of the sport and his lack of outside shooting likely slots him in as a small-ball center.

So his outlook, at least in the short term, depends mostly on landing with a team where he'll fit the rotation. A minor draft-night slide because of injury isn't a major concern as long as he ends up in the right spot.

Okongwu said he's aiming to follow a similar development arc to Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo, who made a limited impact as a rookie before showcasing steady improvement.

"I want to be a player like Bam," Okongwu told reporters Friday. "Bam is my size. Same athleticism. At Kentucky he wasn't doing all that he does now. Took him a while to be an All-Star player that he is in Year 3, so I can definitely do that whole development process and be a solid player like Bam is."

Adebayo was able to make that jump without forcing himself into the stretch 4 niche. He attempted just 14 threes during his breakout 2019-20 campaign. He was able to maximize his talent within the Heat system, and Okongwu will try to follow a similar path, though a little offensive versatility wouldn't hurt.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected the USC forward would go ninth overall to the Washington Wizards in his final mock draft.

Even if some teams don't expect a major slide, Okongwu could fall lower in the lottery or the late teens depending on how much information teams are able to get about the injury before the draft kicks off Wednesday night.

Okongwu's potential is still highly intriguing, however, and he could emerge as one of the class' best players over the long haul if he follows in Adebayo's footsteps.