Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) drives on Ohio State center Felix Okpara (34) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game last season.
AP Photo | Carlos Osorio
COLUMBUS — Felix Okpara has changed his mind regarding his future as a member of the Ohio State basketball team.
Originally the 6-foot-11 center was planning on returning for his third season and being a part of Year 1 of the Jake Diebler era in Columbus. But following a week of transfer portal additions with a few more potentially on the way, now he’ll explore options elsewhere by putting his name in the portal.
Okpara took over as the starting center this season producing 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, which ranked 11th nationally as one of college basketball’s better rim protectors. He was supposed to continue in that role in 2024-25 while also being paired with former Kentucky five-star center Aaron Bradshaw.
Now the former top center in the 2023 class will likely fill Okpara’s spot in the starting lineup.
Okpara’s exit leaves just one member of the Buckeyes’ 2022 recruiting class — which ranked eighth nationally — on the roster in point guard and leading scorer Bruce Thornton. Brice Sensabaugh turned into a one-and-done NBA prospect after the 2022-23 season, while Roddy Gayle Jr. and Bowen Hardman also entered the portal after two years.
OSU now has two open spots to fill on its 2024-25 roster. Potential names to fill those spots include Oakland’s Trey Townsend, Central Arkansas’ Tucker Anderson and Alabama’s Sam Walters. All three visited Columbus this weekend.
