Former Ohio State center Felix Okpara was selected No. 46 overall by the Washington Wizards in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday.
A former four-star recruit out of High School Link Academy in Branson, Mo., Okpara got off to a strong start to his collegiate career with Ohio State in 2022, appearing in all 35 games and making 11 starts as a freshman, averaging 4.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the field.
As a sophomore in 2023, Okpara became a full-time starter, starting 34 of 35 games while increasing his production to 6.6 points and a team-leading 6.6 rebounds per game. He also emerged as one of the conference’s top rim protectors, averaging 2.4 blocks per contest, which ranked second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally.
Following two seasons with the Buckeyes, Okpara transferred to Tennessee for the back half of his collegiate career. While his scoring climbed to 7.1 and 8.0 points per game in his junior and senior campaigns, his shot-blocking numbers dipped to 1.7 and 1.5 over that span. Okpara also averaged 6.4 rebounds during his time in Knoxville, with 6-10, 242-pound center’s defensive prowess culminating in SEC All-Defensive Team honors in 2026.
The Orlando Magic originally held the No. 46 pick but traded it to the Washington Wizards for their 51st and 60th picks.
In other news, former Ohio State guard Meechie Johhnson Jr. has signed with the Miami Heat’s summer league team, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Johnson spent two stints and three total seasons (2020-22, 2024-25) at Ohio State over a six-year college career, spending his other three years at South Carolina. The 6-2, 180-pound guard averaged 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists over his career, including a senior campaign where he averaged career highs of 17.2 points and 4.3 assists.
The Cleveland native also earned Second-team All-SEC honors in 2024.
