33 Facts About Emeka Okafor

Emeka Okafor was traded to the New Orleans Hornets in 2009 and was then dealt to the Washington Wizards in 2012.

Emeka Okafor's father, Pius Okafor, is a member of the Igbo ethnic group.

Emeka Okafor's family moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, when he was young because his father worked for Phillips Petroleum Company, headquartered in Bartlesville.

Emeka Okafor played at Bellaire High School with future Oklahoma State star John Lucas III.

Emeka Okafor averaged 22 points, 16 rebounds and 7 blocks in his senior season.

Emeka Okafor flew under the recruiting radar for much of his high school career, but by the end of his senior year was receiving late interest from top programs and chose to accept a scholarship at the University of Connecticut, choosing the Huskies over Arkansas and Vanderbilt.

Emeka Okafor was teammates with Charlie Villanueva, Marcus Williams, Ben Gordon, Hilton Armstrong and Josh Boone, who all went on to play in the NBA.

Emeka Okafor majored in finance and graduated with honors after three years in May 2004 with a 3.8 GPA.

Emeka Okafor was named the Academic All-American of the Year in 2004 for his work on and off the court.

Emeka Okafor is noted for his defensive ability, especially his shot-blocking.

Emeka Okafor was crowned as the NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Emeka Okafor received the Big East Player of the Year award.

Emeka Okafor graduated as Connecticut's leader in blocked shots with 441.

Emeka Okafor felt this weight loss gave him more energy and mobility.

Emeka Okafor led the Bobcats in rebounds per game, blocks per game, and field goal percentage.

Emeka Okafor had eight blocks in games against the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.

Emeka Okafor finished the season averaging 14.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 67 games.

Emeka Okafor played in all 82 games of the regular season for the first time in his career.

That year Emeka Okafor played in all 82 regular season games for the second straight season and averaged a double-double for a fifth straight season.

On July 28,2009, Emeka Okafor was traded to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Tyson Chandler.

Charlotte head coach Larry Brown was reportedly willing jettison the franchise's first ever draft pick for another 26-year-old center who is three inches taller because it brought financial relief and because, at 6-foot-10, he felt Emeka Okafor had trouble guarding the NBA's top big men.

On June 20,2012, Emeka Okafor was traded, along with Trevor Ariza, to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Rashard Lewis and the 46th pick of the 2012 NBA draft.

On May 30,2017, Emeka Okafor was medically cleared to play.

On September 25,2017, Emeka Okafor signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.

On February 3,2018, Emeka Okafor signed a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Emeka Okafor made his Pelicans debut two days later, playing in the NBA for the first time since 2013.

Emeka Okafor was waived by the Pelicans on September 19,2018, just before the start of training camp.

Emeka Okafor signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on September 21,2018, before being waived on October 13.

Emeka Okafor appeared on the cover of NCAA March Madness 2005 video game.

Emeka Okafor appeared as himself in the second season of the TV show One Tree Hill.

Emeka Okafor appeared as himself in the second season of the TV show Power Book II: Ghost.

Emeka Okafor is a distant cousin of fellow NBA player Jahlil Emeka Okafor.

Emeka Okafor has two children with his wife Ilana Nunn, the daughter of former NBA referee and director of officiating - hall of famer Ronnie Nunn.