The conclusion of the college basketball regular season signals the 1st real opportunity to see the best high school players in the country getting some national exposure. In addition to the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 29th, the Nike Hoop Summit made its triumphant return to the court on April 8th after a 2-year absence due to COVID featuring the United States vs. the World. The US team won by a score of 102–80 thanks to 5 players scoring in double-digits including Villanova commit Cam Whitmore (19 PTS in 15 minutes) and Duke commit Dariq Whitehead (17 PTS in 20 minutes). The World team featured some future American college stars as well including USC commit Vincent Iwuchukwu (9 PTS in 16 minutes) and Ohio State commit Felix Okpara (7 PTS in 14 minutes). Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Felix about choosing the Buckeyes and almost winning a national championship.
You were born in Nigeria and had only played basketball for a few months before moving to the US for high school: how did you end up in Chattanooga, TN, and how have your skills progressed so quickly in just a few short years? I was given a scholarship for training to go to a Christian school in the US and ended up at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. I worked on my skills during the summer with coaches who taught me the right way to play basketball.
Why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose Link Academy? My former coach got a new job as a coach in Florida so I played for the new coach for 1 year before deciding to transfer. I had a good relationship with the coach at Link Academy (Rodney Perry) after playing for him on my AAU team (MoKan Elite).
You received scholarship offers from several schools including Florida/Oklahoma/Tennessee but signed with Ohio State last summer: what made you choose the Buckeyes? I just loved the culture/coaching staff/family vibe. I also like Coach Chris Holtmann’s player development skills, as he has helped turn guys like EJ Liddell into a possible 1st round pick.
You are part of a great recruiting class including Bruce Thornton/Roddy Gayle/Bowen Hardman/Brice Sensabaugh: how well do you know any of those other guys? I have played AAU ball with Bruce a lot, and played against Roddy and his Wasatch Academy team during the high school season. I met Bowen at a camp 1 time but have not really played against him or Brice so I guess I am closest to Bruce.
At the Geico Nationals a few weeks ago you made the championship game before losing to Montverde Academy: how close did you come to winning it all? We were really close but just needed a spark at the end and did not really have it. We needed some of our key guys to chip in but it just did not work out. However, we are still really proud that we made it to the finals because we had a lot of doubters along the way.
1 of your AAU/high school teammates is Tarris Reed Jr.: how close are you 2, and how will it feel to face him in the Big 10 next year when he is at Michigan? We are actually roommates and know everything about each other from our strengths to our weaknesses. We know what makes us great during games and we grew as close as brothers this last year: it will be fun to face him next year.
You were part of the World Team at the Nike Hoops Summit earlier this month: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? I am truly blessed and appreciate them for selecting me to the team. I learned a lot and loved playing with the guys/coaching staff. I enjoyed every moment I spent in Portland and loved the chance to help put Nigeria on the basketball map.
Your high school teammate Omaha Biliew was also on the World Team: what makes him such a great player? His motor and passion for the game. He is always there to push you on and always has my back, as I do for him. It was really fun to play together because we have such a good connection: he is different from any other prospect in his class.
Which member of the US team impressed you the most: Kel’el Ware/Dariq Whitehead/Cam Whitmore/other? The 2 guys who really impressed me were Cam/Kel’el. I did not realize how good a shooter Kel’el is.
You are listed at 6’11”: what position do you play now, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? At the Hoop Summit I was measured at 6’11.5”. I play the center position now and plan to do the same in Columbus.