Tennessee acquired an inside presence for its men’s basketball roster Thursday, and one with Chattanooga ties.
Felix Okpara, who spent his junior year of high school at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, has signed with the Volunteers after playing his first two college seasons at Ohio State.
The 6-foot-11, 235-pounder started 34 of 35 games for the Buckeyes this past season, averaging 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds for a 22-14 team that defeated Cornell and Virginia Tech to reach the NIT quarterfinals before losing to Georgia.
Okpara shot 58.6% from the floor and racked up a whopping 83 blocked shots, which ranked ninth nationally. He had at least one block in all 35 contests for the Buckeyes, who went 9-11 in Big Ten play.
“Felix is an elite shot blocker, high-level defender and terrific rebounder,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said in a release that announced the signing. “He possesses the ability to score in the low post, as well as play on the perimeter. A mobile athlete with excellent length who creates space offensively, Felix is a constant threat to get to the rim for a lob.
“We will do everything we can to help him further develop all aspects of his game.”
Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Okpara moved to the United States in 2018 and averaged roughly 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game in his one season at Hamilton Heights. He played his senior season at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri.
Two freshman members of Tennessee’s team this past season, guard Cameron Carr and forward Cade Phillips, also played at Link Academy.
The Vols went 27-9 this past season, winning their first outright Southeastern Conference championship in 16 years and reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament for only the second time in program history. They have since suffered the 1-2 transfer portal departure punch of 6-11, 240-pound forward Jonas Aidoo and 6-8, 250-pound forward Tobe Awaka.
Okpara, who made 11 starts and averaged 4.0 points and 3.6 rebounds for the Buckeyes as a freshman in 2022-23, is expected to team with J.P. Estrella and Phillips to headline Tennessee’s inside attack for 2024-25. The Vols have lost four players to the portal and have added two — former Hofstra guard Darlinstone Dubar signed last week — so there is still room for further additions.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.