A year after Tennessee standout Jahmai Mashack earned a consistent role in his rookie season because of his defensive prowess, another former Vol basketball starter could do the same thing.
Center Felix Okpara is off to professional basketball after exhausting his college eligibility and anchoring Tennessee’s defense in two trips to the Elite Eight. Despite a limited offensive skillset, Okpara is a real draft candidate and could work his way on a NBA roster next season.
Okpara turned in a strong performance at the NBA combine in Chicago this past week including during Thursday’s scrimmage session when he totaled 15 points and 7 rebounds. ESPN listed Okpara as one of the standouts during the draft combine.
“Okpara has put together a positive predraft process, showing well enough at the Portsmouth Invitational last month to skip the G League combine and earn a spot at the NBA combine,” ESPN’s Jeremy Woo wrote. “Though not a flashy option at center, Okpara has solid mobility for his size (6-10 barefoot with a plus-4-inch wingspan), measured in the top five in standing reach (9-4). … He has helped his chances of hearing his name called in the second round as a depth option with a good physical profile for his position.”
Okpara is coming off a senior season where he averaged 8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. However, Okpara’s block numbers were lower because the Vols asked him to guard on the perimeter.
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Playing two bigs last season, Okpara was the only Tennessee big man who excelled guarding smaller and quicker guards and wings. With the Vols’ aggressive —often switching— ball screen defense, Okpara gave them the versatility they craved.
But don’t let the lighter block numbers make take away from Okpara’s ability to defend the rim. When allowed to play in the paint and protect the basket, Okpara was elite. That was evident in the NCAA Tournament when Okpara blocked four shots against Virginia and three shots against Iowa State.
“If you watch his last seven or eight games this season, he’s an all-conference player,” Tennessee assistant Lucas Campbell told RTI following the Iowa State game. “Today, his chase down block was unreal.”
The most impressive play of Okpara’s career came in the SEC Tournament against Auburn when he made an incredible block on a half court alley-oop attempt. Then Tennessee assistant director of player development Riley Collins called it “the best block” he’d ever seen in person.
Tennessee Assistant Director of Player Development Riley Collins on Felix Okpara’s block: “I don’t think there’s one other (player who could make that play). … That was the best block that I’ve ever seen in person. And it changed the game.”pic.twitter.com/PeGdnCASUb
— Ryan Schumpert (@ryanschumpert00) March 13, 2026
Okpara will look to continue impressing NBA teams in hopes of hearing his name called as high as possible. The 2026 NBA Draft is on June 23 and 24.
