NBA Draft Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Bristol, Connecticut, USA Onyeka Okongwu are accurate. Me and him were similar players coming out of college, and it took him three years to develop into the Q. You're going to a team that of course has Trae All-Star he is now. Young, John Collins and an experienced bunch of young guys. Number one, what can you bring to the So I feel like with time I could definitely be that type of table in Atlanta? And number two, what are your player through time. I'm patient, ready to get better and thoughts on your former high school teammate LaMelo develop my skill set. Ball being drafted? Q. As an NBA player, what would you like to achieve? ONYEKA OKONGWU: Well, today, yeah, I play a lot of defense, so I'm defensive minded. I love playing ONYEKA OKONGWU: There's a couple things. Obviously defensive. I anticipate everything. I know what's going to first and foremost, I want to win a championship. That happen before it even happens, this natural ability I have. I should be everyone's goal, to win a championship that texted LaMelo today, good luck to wherever you go, you're everyone wants to win. going be a star. And he went to Charlotte, man, nothing but class. And cheers for him over here. So he's like Myself, I just want to be able to get better, be able to be the family to me. I'm happy for him. best that I can be, continue to work hard, have a great work ethic. Q. What are your thoughts about Coach [Lloyd] Pierce, Trae Young and everything that the Atlanta Q. Sixth pick, Atlanta Hawks, what are your Hawks are building right now? expectations for the next season? ONYEKA OKONGWU: Coach Pierce is a great coach. I ONYEKA OKONGWU: Obviously to win. Obviously we had my meeting with him, seemed like a smart guy, knew want to be able to make the Playoffs. I want to be able to what he was doing. Trae Young is a great guard, All-Star be impactful but to go into the East, go to the playoffs. I point guard. Going to be a star for a long time. want to really help this team out. I'm just ready to build up this young team and help this Q. How will you fit in with Trae Young's style of play, team win games. and what do you look forward to the most with joining the Atlanta Hawks? Q. What are your thoughts about playing alongside Clint Capela and John Collins? How do you think your ONYEKA OKONGWU: Trae Young, he's a great point skill set will work along with them? guard. He can shoot. He's a great passer. He's a very good passer. I like to move around a lot, so obviously Trae ONYEKA OKONGWU: You know, for me I feel like I play Young is a great passer, can hit me when I'm open, I'm inside out. When Clint is in the game, me and him can be catching them lobs. in inside out. When John Collins is in the game, could be inside and me outside. Me and him can help each other I'm excited to play with him and looking forward to going to out on both sides of the court, on defense. We're all great Atlanta and just playing. I haven't been able to play a lot. I athletes, so we're able to prepare to be ready to play haven't played in so long, that's why I'm excited for it. defense. Q. Are there any players that you look forward to Q. Just wanted to ask you your player comparisons, a playing against? lot of people are saying you're similar to Miami’s Bam Adebayo. What do you make of those, and how do you ONYEKA OKONGWU: Obviously my favorite player is see your game fitting in in Atlanta? LeBron James and Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. I feel like those are the top players in the league, and obviously I ONYEKA OKONGWU: I feel like the Bam comparisons want to go up against the Ball brothers. They were my 103030-3-1015 2020-11-19 02:47:00 GMT Page 1 of 2 teammates in high school, so having that friendly battle against them, I'm really looking forward to that. FastScripts by ASAP Sports 103030-3-1015 2020-11-19 02:47:00 GMT Page 2 of 2.