Felix Okpara

Last updated

Felix Okpara
No. 34–Tennessee Volunteers
Position Center
League Southeastern Conference
Personal information
Born (2004-01-01) January 1, 2004 (age 20)
Lagos, Nigeria
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school
College

Felix Okpara (born January 1, 2004) is a Nigerian college basketball center for the Tennessee Volunteers of the Southeastern Conference. He previously played for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Contents

Early life and high school

Okpara was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where he played soccer during his early years as a defensive midfielder and center midfielder. [1] At the age of 14, Okpara moved to the United States to pursue a basketball career, having never played basketball before, [2] and initially attended Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, where he averaged 11.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, and Okpara also blocked double-digit shots in two games, 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 Ohio State, Florida, Ole Miss, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Texas, Tennessee, San Diego, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Oklahoma State. [4] On July 26, 2021, Okpara committed to play at Ohio State. [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]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Felix Okpara
C 		Lagos, Nigeria Link Academy (MO)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)210 lb (95 kg)Jul 26, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg    ESPN grade: 85
Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 8
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, 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.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  • "2022 Ohio State Buckeyes Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  • "2022 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. 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 declared out for 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] On April 21, 2024, after pledging his return to the team, Okpara entered the transfer portal. [11]

Tennessee

On April 25, 2024, Okpara transferred to Tennessee. [12]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
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
Career [13] 704519.5.586.091.5985.00.40.41.85.3

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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". ElevenWarriors.com. 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. Sports Illustrated. 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. 247Sports . Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Felix Okpara fuels Ohio State basketball in 73-62 win over No. 21 Maryland". Cleveland.com . Associated Press. 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 23, 2024). "After pledging Ohio State return, Felix Okpara changes course, enters transfer portal". Dispatch.com. 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. ↑ "Felix Okpara College Stats". Sports Reference . Retrieved April 7, 2024.
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