WVU Officially Signs Four-Star Forward James Okonkwo

West Virginia’s 2021 recruiting class has picked up an unexpected boost from a 2023 four-star recruit.

In-state power forward James Okonkwo from Beckley Prep in Beckley, W.Va has officially signed with WVU and reclassified to the class of 2021, he announced on Twitter Sunday morning. Okonkwo (6-foot-9, 230 pounds) announced that he will redshirt this season in order to prepare for his collegiate career in Morgantown.

Happy to announce that I have signed with WVU! Let’s go mountaineers 🔵🟡 pic.twitter.com/rdllBYzfZp

— James Okonkwo (@JamesOkonkwo13) July 25, 2021

The talented big man hails from the United Kingdom, arriving in the United States with the help of Beckley head coach James Dempsey and his non-profit IJN WV. After a successful season with Beckley, he drew the attention of major college teams, with offers from WVU, Rutgers and Montana State, and committed to WVU in June.

According to Rivals, Okonkwo is the 87th-ranked recruit from the class of 2023, and with his reclassification allowing him to arrive in Morgantown early, he should be well prepared for his WVU career to begin in 2022.

Okonkwo is just the next in a long line of talented big men who will play for WVU, joining Oscar Tshiebwe, Derek Culver and Jalen Bridges, among others.

Along with three-star forward Jamel King, three-star guard Seth Wilson and three-star guard Kobe Johnson, Okonkwo will join the 2021 WVU recruiting class.