Season two on Rocky Top is bringing a new chapter for Tennessee’s rising big man.
During the offseason, something clicked for Felix Okpara.
Behind the scenes, coaches and teammates say the 6-foot-11 center has grown into one of the most dependable voices in the gym, pairing his physical tools with a steadier, more intentional approach as the Volunteers open another grind through the SEC.
“I would say, day in and day out, the most consistent guys have probably been Ja’Kobi. Certainly, I would add Felix to this group,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said.
Okpara traces that shift to a new role. One that goes beyond blocks, rebounds, and dunks.
“I picked up leadership role on the team, and being a leader you got to be a guy who brings it every day,” Okpara said. “That’s one thing I had in back my mind every, you know, everything I stepped in practice, just being that y’all give 100% every day, and also just being a good role model to the, you know, the younger guys.”
During his first year in Orange and White, Okpara spent much of his time observing, learning how older teammates carried themselves in big moments.
Last season’s roster featured established veterans whose example helped shape his approach.
“I think what really prepared me for it last year was, you know, had guys like Zakai (Zeigler), Shack (Jahmai Mashack), JG (Jordan Gainey). They just being around them, just getting a little bit of, how they acted and know how they react to stuff. I think that really prepared me for this,” he said.
Many of those leaders have moved on, leaving younger players to fill the void.
Despite being in his senior year academically, this is only Okpara’s second season at Tennessee. Still, he has stepped into a role that demands maturity, accountability and a willingness to set the tone for a team with championship expectations.
Part of that, he said, is confronting weaknesses in his own game.
“Just being that, you know, just consistent rebounder. I think that’s something I’ve lacked in my, you know, in my game, personally, and that’s that just takes effort,” Okpara said.
At 6’11” with length and timing, rebounding is a natural area of impact. Through four games of the 2025-26 season, he has recorded 24 rebounds and says his mindset has to match his physical gifts.
“I’ve been consistent, and I just need to bring that same consistency on the glass,” he said.
With the Players Era Men’s Championship on the schedule, Tennessee will again lean on Okpara’s size, physicality and presence in the paint.
Barnes said the work behind the scenes is what’s starting to separate his veteran big man.
“He is one of the hardest workers we have on the team. He really wants to be good, and it goes back to him sitting down, getting his face, knowing where he wants to be. And those shots aren’t easy,” Barnes said.
That work ethic was evident even before Okpara and some of his current teammates shared a locker room. Guard Jaylen Carey remembered it from the other side, when he faced Tennessee while playing at SEC rival Vanderbilt.
“I see it every day. Even playing last year, I can always play him last year. I could tell he has a crazy work ethic, just the way he plays so hard,” Carey said.
Now teammates, the battles have only intensified in practice.
“I go against him every day, so we’re just getting each other better every day,” Carey said.
Okpara said Barnes has continued to push him in ways that don’t always show up in a box score.
“We also coach been challenging me in practice. And, you know, I just feel like into my grinding to my job, everything’s gonna work out. I ain’t really worried about points, to be honest. I’m just doing my job and playing defense and how playing offense,” Okpara said.
The approach is starting to translate on game nights. Following Tennessee’s win over Rice, Okpara finished with 20 points and eight rebounds.
For all the on-court development, Okpara said his confidence and drive are rooted somewhere else; at home.
His adoptive family has become his loudest cheering section, and his youngest sister, Copelyn, is often the most determined to be in the stands.
“This is really good, they’ve done a lot for me. I’m happy to have them in my life. Good motivation for me too,” Okpara said. “(Copelyn) can come up anytime she wants. It’s just an hour, hour 30 drive. And she loves coming over (to) hang out with me, also watch me practice. “
“I think, for her, it’s just like the best of her life. I’m happy to be that guy, you know, be that brother for her,” Okpara added.
“She would come home and tell me all her friends want autographs from me, which is funny,” Okpara said. “I just like being there for her, just trying to give her the two sides to the athletic life and the regular life.”
“She thinks everything,” Okpara said with a laugh. “She thinks, I get everything for free, everything comes easily, but something I tried to explain to her it takes time. It’s really hard.”
Okpara said he hopes his journey can serve as motivation for his sister.
“She’s doing well at soccer. That’s one thing I probably need to put on my bucket list. Maybe in the summer, sometime, play a little soccer with her. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to catch on the games,” he said.
Before moving to the United States, soccer was Okpara’s primary sport growing up in Nigeria.
He didn’t begin playing organized basketball until a few months before coming to America, making his rise at the high-major college level all the more unlikely.
Now in his fourth collegiate season, the idea of playing in the NBA no longer feels distant. Still, Okpara insists his focus remains on the present.
“I think for me, it’s just focusing on right now. Focus on what I can do right now. I can get better right now,” he said. “Just focusing on today. Focus what I got to do today, where I got to get better today, and that’s what’s I’m going to keep doing, you know, to the end of the season.”
