Nigerian basketball prospect Felix Okpara says his immediate priority is adapting to the pace and physical demands of the NBA as he prepares for his first season with the Washington Wizards.
Okpara was selected with the 46th pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft before his draft rights were acquired by Washington. The 6-foot-11 center spent the 2025/26 season at the University of Tennessee, where he established himself as one of the strongest defensive big men in college basketball.
The Nigerian is approaching his transition to professional basketball with patience, particularly as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the NBA.
Rather than placing unnecessary pressure on himself, Okpara says he is concentrating on understanding the Wizards’ system, becoming comfortable alongside his new teammates and learning from the more experienced players around him.
“I’m just taking it day by day, learning the system, getting comfortable with my teammates and continuing to work on my body.”
Defence is expected to remain an important part of Okpara’s game as he makes the transition. During his final college season, he was recognised for his rim protection and defensive ability, earning SEC All-Defensive Team honours.
His development at Tennessee followed an earlier spell at Ohio State, meaning the 2026/27 campaign will represent another significant step in a rapidly developing career.
Okpara also has a strong connection to Nigeria despite developing much of his basketball career in the United States. He was born in Lagos and moved to the United States as a teenager after initially playing football before switching to basketball.
The Wizards have already included him in their 2026 Summer League programme, giving the rookie an early opportunity to experience the professional environment and compete against other NBA prospects.
For Okpara, the focus is therefore on gradual adaptation rather than trying to do everything at once — understanding Washington’s system, building chemistry, improving physically and carrying the defensive qualities that helped earn him his NBA opportunity.
