Felix Okpara, who announced his intent to stay at Ohio State earlier this month, officially entered the transfer portal.
The Buckeyes center wrote on April 1 that he was “100% committed to running it back with OSU” for his junior year. However, Okpara revealed a change of heart on Sunday.
“Thank you Buckeye Nation for two amazing years,” Okpara wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for embracing me and supporting me through the ups and downs. … I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to have represented the Scarlet and Gray. As I thought of the player I want to become and the program moving forward in a new direction, I believe it is in my best interest to continue my pursuit of my dream at a different school.”
Okpara started all but two games last season, averaging a team-high 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He scored double-digit points in each of the Buckeyes’ three NIT games.
Since Okpara’s earlier announcement to return, Ohio State added Aaron Bradshaw through the transfer portal. The 7-foot-1 big man could have jeopardized Okpara’s spot in Jake Diebler’s starting lineup after teasing upside as a freshman at Kentucky.
The Buckeyes are nevertheless losing a former top-100 recruit and a significant interior presence. Ohio State may seek more size through the portal in hopes of sustaining last season’s strong finish after Diebler replaced Chris Holtmann as head coach.