The 2026 NBA Draft is just under a month away with three Tennessee basketball players having a strong chance to be selected in the 60-pick draft. Nate Ament, Felix Okpara and Ja’Kobi Gillespie all project as draft picks but Okpara has seemingly done more to help his draft stock than anyone other Vol in the draft.
According to Stockrisers’ Jake Weingarten, Okpara is moving up “plenty of draft boards” since the NBA Combine and has worked out with both the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards during the NBA Draft process.
Tennessee’s Felix Okpara is generating a lot of buzz post-combine and is rising up plenty of boards, source told @Stockrisers. Has worked out with several teams including San Antonio and Washington.
Measured at 6’10 at the combine and impressed during scrimmage play.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) May 26, 2026
There has been a good deal of buzz for Okpara since the combine. ESPN listed Okpara as a standout during the combine scrimmages including a 15-point, 7-rebound performance in one of the scrimmages.
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.
More From RTI: Former Gator Basketball Star Severing Ties With Florida Athletics
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.
