Felix Okpara

Felix Okpara
Okpara with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2026
No. 34 – Washington Wizards
PositionCenter
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2004-04-20) April 20, 2004
Lagos, Nigeria
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2026: 2nd round, 46th overall pick
Drafted byOrlando Magic
Playing career2026–present
Career history
2026–presentWashington Wizards
2026–present→Capital City Go-Go
Career highlights
  • SEC All-Defensive Team (2026)
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 

Felix Eberechukwu OkparaListenⓘ (born April 20, 2004) is a Nigerian professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers.

Early life

Okpara was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where he played soccer during his early years as a central and defensive midfielder.[1] At the age of 14, Okpara moved to the United States to pursue a basketball career, having never played basketball before.[2] He initially attended Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, where he averaged 11.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, and also blocked double-digit shots in two game; one game being the St. James NIBC Invitational against Oak Hill Academy where he blocked 12 shots.[3][1][4] As a reserve his senior year, he averaged 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, helping his team reach the GEICO Nationals where he had 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 blocks in their loss to Montverde Academy.[4] He received offers from Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, San Diego, Tennessee, Texas, and Vanderbilt,[4] before committing to play at Ohio State on July 26, 2021.[5]

Recruiting

Okpara was ranked the 74th best player in the nation, the 15th best center in the nation, and the 4th best player in the state of Missouri in the class of 2022.[5]

College recruiting
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Felix Okpara
C		 Lagos, Nigeria Link Academy (MO) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jul 26, 2021 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   On3: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   (85)
Overall recruit ranking:    247Sports: 8
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Ohio State 2022 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  • "2022 Ohio State Buckeyes Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  • "2022 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved March 2, 2024.

College career

Ohio State

In the Buckeyes' 96–59 win over Saint Francis on December 3, 2022, Okpara achieved his first career double-double, and also hit his first career three.[6] Okpara, who had been dealing with an injury, played 8 minutes in the team's 72–60 win over Illinois on February 26, 2023.[7] In the final 9 games of the season, Okpara averaged 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, along with shooting a solid 63.2% from the floor after starting center Zed Key was ruled out for the rest of the season.[8] On March 1, Okpara had his best game of the season, tallying 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 73–62 upset win over No. 21 Maryland.[8][9] In the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament, Okpara notched 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the 68–58 win over Michigan State.[8]

On November 29, 2023, in the 88–61 win against Central Michigan, Okpara notched a career-high 14 points.[10] After the season, Okpara announced his return to the Buckeyes. However, on April 21, 2024, Okpara decided to enter the transfer portal.[11]

Tennessee

On April 25, 2024, Okpara transferred to Tennessee.[12] He posted 7.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game during his first season and junior season at Tennessee in 2024–25.[13] Okpara averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in his final and senior season in 2025–26.[14]

Professional career

On June 24, 2026, Okpara was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 46th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft then immediately traded to the Washington Wizards.[15]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022–23 Ohio State 351115.5.587.200.6153.60.30.41.34.0
2023–24 Ohio State 353423.5.586.000.5896.40.50.42.46.6
2024–25 Tennessee 383825.8.5891.000.7196.40.30.21.77.1
Career[16] 1088321.7.587.167.6515.50.40.31.85.9

References

  1. 1 2 Jordan, Jason (January 12, 2021). "2022 Center Felix Okpara Thrives as an Elite Shot Blocker". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  2. ↑ Jardy, Adam (October 21, 2022). "After latest move, 'adaptable' Felix Okpara working to settle in as Ohio State Buckeye". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  3. ↑ Jordan, Jason (January 11, 2021). "Jalen Duren, Kennedy Chandler, Felix Okpara and Others Shine at the St. James NIBC Invitational". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Jardy, Adam (October 19, 2022). "Ohio State men's basketball power rankings: No. 10 Felix Okpara". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Hass-Hill, Colin (July 26, 2021). "FOUR-STAR CENTER FELIX OKPARA COMMITS TO OHIO STATE". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  6. ↑ Jardy, Adam (December 4, 2022). "Felix Okpara, balanced freshman attack highlight Ohio State's win against St. Francis". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  7. ↑ Smith, Casey (March 1, 2023). "Ohio State 'Nursing' Injury With C Felix Okpara". Buckeyes Now. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 Helwagen, Steve (November 1, 2023). "Watch: Felix Okpara ready to make his mark at center for basketball Buckeyes". Bucknuts. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Felix Okpara fuels Ohio State basketball in 73-62 win over No. 21 Maryland". Cleveland.com. March 1, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  10. ↑ Kruskevich, Gaston (December 27, 2023). "MEN'S BASKETBALL: FELIX OKPARA'S "BIGGER, STRONGER AND MORE EXPLOSIVE" BODY TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY". The Lantern. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  11. ↑ Jardy, Adam (April 21, 2024). "After pledging Ohio State return, Felix Okpara changes course, enters transfer portal". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  12. ↑ Wilson, Mike (April 25, 2024). "Felix Okpara commits to Tennessee basketball as Ohio State transfer". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  13. ↑ Wilson, Mike (January 31, 2026). "Rick Barnes updates Felix Okpara's injury for Tennessee basketball after Auburn win". On3. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  14. ↑ Ramey, Grant (May 14, 2026). "Where Felix Okpara, Ja'Kobi Gillespie are projected in new ESPN NBA mock draft". On3. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Wizards Acquire Draft Rights To Felix Okpara In Second Round Of 2026 NBA Draft". nba.com. June 25, 2026. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Felix Okpara College Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
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