Former Ohio State center Felix Okpara commits to Tennessee after entering portal
Former Ohio State center Felix Okpara has committed to Tennessee less than one week after entering the transfer portal.
A 6-11, 235-pound center, Okpara has two years of eligibility remaining. He played two years with the Buckeyes, averaging 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while appearing in 70 games including 45 starts.
He closed the year by scoring in double figures in consecutive games for the first time in his career, doing so in all three of Ohio State's NIT games while averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks for the Buckeyes.
His 82 blocks last season are the ninth-most in Ohio State history, and his 126 career blocks are two shy of tying Keita Bates-Diop for 10th-most in an Ohio State career.
He announced a return to Ohio State in the immediate aftermath of the 2023-24 season but, after the Buckeyes signed Kentucky transfer center Aaron Bradshaw, opted to enter the transfer portal Sunday.
Okpara visited Tennessee during the week and quickly committed. A native of Nigeria, Okpara lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, once he emigrated to the United States to play basketball.
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Ohio State remains in the market to add another center to replace Okpara as well as another forward. The Buckeyes have two scholarships remaining.
Okpara is the fifth player to transfer from the program. Roddy Gayle Jr. has transferred to Michigan, Zed Key has transferred to Dayton, Scotty Middleton has transferred to Seton Hall and Bowen Hardman has not yet announced his destination.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State's Felix Okpara transfers to Tennessee
