View source for Emeka Okafor

{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1982)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Emeka Okafor
| image = Emeka Okafor Washington at Orlando 002.jpg
| caption = Okafor with the [[Washington Wizards]] in 2012
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 255
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|9|28}}
| birth_place = [[Houston, Texas]], U.S.
| high_school = [[Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas)|Bellaire]] ([[Bellaire, Texas]])
| college = [[UConn Huskies men's basketball|UConn]] (2001–2004)
| draft_year = 2004
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 2
| draft_team = [[Charlotte Bobcats]]
| career_start = 2004
| career_end = 2013; 2017–2020
| career_number = 50
| career_position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]] / [[power forward]]
| years1 = {{nbay|2004|start}}–{{nbay|2008|end}}
| team1 = [[Charlotte Bobcats]]
| years2 = {{nbay|2009|start}}–{{nbay|2011|end}}
| team2 = [[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans Hornets]]
| years3 = {{nbay|2012|full=y}}
| team3 = [[Washington Wizards]]
| years4 = [[2017–18 NBA G League season|2017–2018]]
| team4 = [[Delaware 87ers]]
| years5 = {{nbay|2017|end}}
| team5 = [[New Orleans Pelicans]]
| years6 = 2019–2020
| team6 = [[Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus]]
| highlights = 
* [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|NBA Rookie of the Year]] ({{nbay|2004|end}})
* [[NBA All-Rookie First Team]] ({{nbay|2004|end}})
* [[List of NCAA Men's Division I Basketball champions|NCAA champion]] ([[2004 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2004]])
* [[NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player]] ([[2004 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2004]])
* [[NABC Player of the Year|NABC Co-Player of the Year]] (2004)
* Consensus first-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] ([[2004 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|2004]])
* Third-team All-American – [[National Association of Basketball Coaches|NABC]] ([[2003 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|2003]])
* 2× [[NABC Defensive Player of the Year]] (2003, 2004)
* [[Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award|Chip Hilton Player of the Year]] (2004)
* [[Pete Newell Big Man Award]] (2004)
* [[Big East Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year|Big East Player of the Year]] (2004)
* 2× First-team [[List of All-Big East Conference men's basketball teams|All-Big East]] (2003, 2004)
* {{nowrap|2× [[Big East Conference Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year|Big East Defensive Player of the Year]] (2003, 2004)}}
* [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season blocks leaders|NCAA blocks leader]] (2003)
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 7,370 (12.0 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 5,967 (9.7 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Block (basketball)|Blocks]]
| stat3value = 1,003 (1.6 bpg)
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport|Men's Basketball}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens]]|[[Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics|United States]]}}
}}
'''Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi''' "'''Emeka'''" '''Okafor''' ({{pronunciation|Ig-Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor.ogg}}; born September 28, 1982) is an American former professional [[basketball]] player. Okafor attended [[Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas)|Bellaire High School]] in [[Bellaire, Texas]] and the [[University of Connecticut]], where in 2004 he won a national championship. In his first season in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) in 2004–05, Okafor played for the [[Charlotte Bobcats]] and was named [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]]. He was traded to the [[New Orleans Hornets]] in 2009 and was then dealt to the [[Washington Wizards]] in 2012. However, a herniated disc in his neck caused Okafor to miss four consecutive seasons from 2013 to 2017 before being medically cleared to play.

==Early life==
Okafor was born in [[Houston]], [[Texas]]. Both of his parents are natives of [[Nigeria]], and Emeka was the first member of his family born in the United States.<ref name="nbabio">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/emeka_okafor/bio/ |title=Emeka Okafor Profile |work=NBA.com |access-date=September 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803182111/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/emeka_okafor/bio/ |archive-date=August 3, 2014 }}</ref> His father, Pius Okafor, is a member of the [[Igbo people|Igbo]] ethnic group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/26/sports/2003-ncaa-tournament-true-student-athlete-academics-and-a-game-to-back-it-up.html |title=2003 N.C.A.A. TOURNAMENT: TRUE STUDENT ATHLETE; Academics, And a Game To Back It Up |work=New York Times |first=Jere |last=Longman |date=March 26, 2003 |access-date=September 14, 2014 |archive-date=July 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723125916/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/26/sports/2003-ncaa-tournament-true-student-athlete-academics-and-a-game-to-back-it-up.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Okafor's family moved to [[Bartlesville, Oklahoma]], when he was young because his father worked for [[Phillips Petroleum Company]], headquartered in Bartlesville. While in Bartlesville, Okafor's father took his son to the Bartlesville YMCA to learn basketball.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040604aac.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113213602/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040604aac.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2007 |title=Okafor Exemplifies Concept of 'Student-Athlete' |work=CSTV.com |date=April 6, 2004 |access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref>

==High school career==
Okafor played at Bellaire High School with future Oklahoma State star [[John Lucas III]]. Okafor averaged 22 points, 16 rebounds and 7 blocks in his senior season. Bellaire was 26–5 in that season, losing 56–42 in the third round of the 2001 [[University Interscholastic League|UIL]] state playoffs, to [[Willowridge High School (Houston)|Willowridge High School]] and future [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]] standout [[T. J. Ford]]. This game is particularly notable, however, because it featured five players who would go on to play in an NCAA Final Four (Bellaire had Lucas and Okafor, while Willowridge featured Ford, Oklahoma State's [[Ivan McFarlin]] and Duke's [[Daniel Ewing]]). All five of these players went on to play at least a season in the NBA.

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 [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] and [[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/042001/col_042001025.shtml|title=Bellaire's Okafor to sign with Connecticut|website=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|access-date=September 14, 2014|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916010753/http://lubbockonline.com/stories/042001/col_042001025.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Conner |first=Desmond |title=Choice Is Easy For Okafor |url=https://www.courant.com/hc-okafor0420-story.html |website=Hartford Courant |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=November 13, 2002 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817170323/https://www.courant.com/hc-okafor0420-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==College career==
[[File:Emeka Okafor UConn 2004.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Okafor in 2004]]
Okafor played for [[UConn Huskies men's basketball|Connecticut]] from 2001 to 2004. He was teammates with [[Charlie Villanueva]], [[Marcus Williams (basketball, born 1985)|Marcus Williams]], [[Ben Gordon (basketball)|Ben Gordon]], [[Hilton Armstrong]] and [[Josh Boone (basketball)|Josh Boone]], who all went on to play in the NBA. He majored in [[finance]] and graduated with honors after three years in May 2004 with a 3.8 [[Grade point average|GPA]]. Okafor was named the Academic All-American of the Year in 2004 for his work on and off the court.

Okafor is noted for his defensive ability, especially his shot-blocking. Although plagued by back problems for most of the 2003–04 season, Okafor led UConn to the program's second [[2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Game|national title]] in six seasons. He was crowned as the [[NCAA]] tournament's [[NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player|Most Outstanding Player]]. In addition, Okafor led the nation in blocks that season and was also named National Defensive Player of the Year by the [[National Association of Basketball Coaches]]. He also received the [[Big East Men's Basketball Player of the Year|Big East Player of the Year]] award. Okafor graduated as Connecticut's leader in blocked shots with 441.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hoopshype.com/players/emeka_okafor.htm |title=HoopsHype Players – 50 Emeka Okafor |work=HoopsHype |access-date=September 14, 2014 |archive-date=November 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107020718/http://hoopshype.com/players/emeka_okafor.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> For his collegiate achievements, Okafor was made a member of the 2004 U.S. National Men's Basketball Team that represented the U.S. at the Olympics in Athens.

On February 5, 2007, he was inducted to the Husky Ring Of Honor at [[Harry A. Gampel Pavilion|Gampel Pavilion]] on the UConn campus in [[Storrs, Connecticut|Storrs]] during halftime of the men's basketball game against the [[Syracuse Orange]] as part of a ceremony that recognized the accomplishments of 13 former players and 3 coaches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://depthoffieldphoto.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/huskies-of-honor/|title=Huskies of Honor|website=Depth of Field Photo|publisher=WordPress|date=July 23, 2008|access-date=September 14, 2014|archive-date=April 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407131705/https://depthoffieldphoto.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/huskies-of-honor/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Professional career==

===Charlotte Bobcats (2004–2009)===

====2004–05 season: Rookie of the Year====
On April 16, 2004, Okafor declared his eligibility for the [[2004 NBA draft]], giving up his one remaining year of college athletic eligibility. He did, however, receive his undergraduate degree in Accounting/Finance in three academic years at the [[University of Connecticut]]. On June 24, Okafor was selected second overall in the draft, becoming the first ever draft pick by the expansion [[Charlotte Bobcats]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/draft_okafor_062404.html |title=Bobcats Select Emeka Okafor As First-Ever Rookie Draft Pick |work=NBA.com |date=June 24, 2004 |access-date=March 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606002430/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/draft_okafor_062404.html |archive-date=June 6, 2015 }}</ref> The following day, he accepted an invitation to join the [[Dream Team IV|United States team]] for the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], which finished with the [[bronze medal]] in [[Athens]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usab.com/history/national-team-mens/games-of-the-xxviiith-olympiad-2004.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319073825/http://www.usab.com/history/national-team-mens/games-of-the-xxviiith-olympiad-2004.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 19, 2015|title=Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad -- 2004|work=USA Basketball|date=14 September 2012|access-date=1 December 2022}}</ref>

The [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]] was a successful campaign as Okafor coped well with the pressures of being the star rookie on an expansion franchise. Highlights of the season included recording 19 straight [[Double-doubles|double-double]]s from November 21 through January 1, and finishing seventh among [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] forwards in [[National Basketball Association All-Star Game|NBA All-Star Game]] fan balloting with 408,082 votes, by far the highest number garnered by any [[rookie]] in 2005. At the end of the season, Okafor beat out his friend and former college teammate and roommate, [[Chicago Bulls]] guard [[Ben Gordon (basketball)|Ben Gordon]], to win the [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2053181 |title=Okafor named Rookie of Year |publisher=ESPN |date=May 5, 2005 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315055153/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2053181 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Bobcats vs Pistons tip off.jpg|thumb|right|Okafor tipping-off against [[Rasheed Wallace]]]]

On June 24, 2005, the Bobcats picked up the option for the fourth year on Okafor's contract, as he quickly established himself as the [[face of the franchise]], and a solid player for years to come. Okafor finished his rookie season with 44.7% [[field goal (basketball)|field goal]] percentage and per-game averages of 15.1 points, 10.9 rebounds (ranked 4th in the league<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2005.html|title=2004-05 NBA Season Summary|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=December 2, 2017|archive-date=August 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830092538/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2005.html|url-status=live}}</ref>), and 1.7 blocks.

====2005–06 season====
In the 2005 offseason, Okafor's weight increased from 260 to 280&nbsp;lbs. It was this weight gain which he felt caused him to have trouble rehabbing his early season ankle injury and forced him to sit out most of the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06 season]] with injuries to his ankle.<ref name="dailydime">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-061125-26 |title=SPECIAL WEEKEND EDITION: Passing some hefty judgments |publisher=ESPN |date=November 26, 2006 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108153855/http://www.espn.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-061125-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nonetheless, in the few games he played he was effective as he averaged a double-double for the second consecutive season. On November 4, 2005, Okafor scored a season high 24 points, alongside grabbing 11 rebounds, in a 110–93 victory over the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200511040PHI.html|title=Charlotte Bobcats at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, November 4, 2005|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=January 18, 2022|archive-date=January 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116181818/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200511040PHI.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For the season he finished with averages of 13.2 points on 41.5% shooting, 10.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

====2006–07 season====
[[File:Okafor.jpg|thumb|right|Okafor playing for Charlotte in 2007]]
During the offseason he continued his tutorials with [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], which he took up after his rookie season,<ref name="dailydime" /> and lost the 20 pounds which he had gained for his second season. Okafor felt this weight loss gave him more energy and mobility. He led the Bobcats in rebounds per game, blocks per game, and field goal percentage. On December 29, 2006, in a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Emeka would record 22 points, 25 rebounds, and 4 blocks in over 51 minutes of play, in an epic 133–124 triple overtime victory. He also had eight blocks in games against the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. On January 12, 2007, he would record an NBA season high ten blocks in a game against the New York Knicks. His ten blocks were the most ever recorded in a single game at [[Madison Square Garden]]. In that game, he was one rebound away from recording the first ever [[triple-double]] in franchise history, finishing with 20 pts, 10 blocks, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals.  Later in the season, he suffered an ankle injury which caused him to miss fifteen games. He finished the season averaging 14.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 67 games.

====2007–08 season====
Prior to the start of the 2007–08 season, Okafor turned down a contract extension with the Charlotte Bobcats worth an estimated US$60 million over five years. Despite turning down the contract, Okafor maintained that he indeed wanted to remain with the Bobcats. Despite feuding with head coach Sam Vincent throughout the season, Okafor still managed to average a double-double for the fourth consecutive season of his career. He also played in all 82 games of the regular season for the first time in his career. At the end of the season head coach Sam Vincent was fired by part-owner Michael Jordan saying in a statement: "The decision to remove Sam as head coach after just one season was difficult, but it was a decision that had to be made because my first obligation is to do what is in the best interest of our team."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2008/04/26/Bobcats-fire-Coach-Sam-Vincent/26801209233076/|title=Bobcats fire Coach Sam Vincent|date=26 April 2008|access-date=1 December 2022|work=United Press International|location=Charlotte|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319094123/https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2008/04/26/Bobcats-fire-Coach-Sam-Vincent/26801209233076/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2008–09 season====
During the off-season, the Bobcats' top priority was to re-sign their face of the franchise. Through tough negotiations the Bobcats and Okafor eventually reached an agreement on a six-year, $72 million deal, the largest in franchise history. In a statement, Okafor voiced his pleasure with remaining in the organization now coached by the legendary [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]]: "The Bobcats and the entire Charlotte community embraced me from day one, and it's exciting to enter this season with a Hall of Fame coach and teammates who are committed to winning."

Okafor entered the 2008–09 season with active franchise-record streaks of 93 consecutive games played and 92 consecutive games started. That year Okafor played in all 82 regular season games for the second straight season (starting in all but one game) and averaged a double-double for a fifth straight season.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Emeka Okafor Stats |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/2399/emeka-okafor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328142320/https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/2399/emeka-okafor |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |access-date=March 28, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

In his final season for the Bobcats, Okafor averaged 13.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game.<ref name="auto" /> But at the end of that 2008–2009 season, Bobcats head coach [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] publicly questioned Okafor's passion. “I tease him that he’s got an A in stretching and pilates and yoga. I want him to have an A in basketball,” Brown said to reporters two days after Charlotte finished the season with a 35–47 record. “It makes older people feel great, but he’s got to work on his game.... There’s no better guy than him, I just want him to have a passion to play the sport because it ends so quickly.”<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blueridgenow.com/story/news/2009/07/28/source-bobcats-close-to-trading-okafor-to-hornets/28194950007/ | title=Source: Bobcats close to trading Okafor to Hornets | access-date=March 28, 2023 | archive-date=March 28, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328143353/https://www.blueridgenow.com/story/news/2009/07/28/source-bobcats-close-to-trading-okafor-to-hornets/28194950007/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

===New Orleans Hornets (2009–2012)===
On July 28, 2009, Okafor was traded to the [[New Orleans Hornets]] in exchange for [[Tyson Chandler]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stein |first=Marc |date=July 28, 2009 |title=Sources: Hornets, Cats agree on deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4359609 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109140218/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4359609 |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Charlotte head coach [[Larry Brown (basketball)|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 Okafor had trouble guarding the NBA's top big men.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4361334 | title=Bobcats, Hornets finish Okafor-Chandler trade | date=July 28, 2009 | access-date=March 28, 2023 | archive-date=January 7, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107061035/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4361334 | url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2009–10 NBA season|2009–10 season]], Okafor played in all 82 games for the third season in a row but just missed extending his streak of five seasons averaging a double-double with 10.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.<ref name="auto" /> Head coach [[Byron Scott]] was fired after a disappointing 3–6 start and replaced by GM [[Jeff Bower (basketball)|Jeff Bower]]. The team finished last in the Southwest Division with a 37–45 record.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NOH/2010.html | title=2009-10 New Orleans Hornets Roster and Stats | access-date=March 28, 2023 | archive-date=March 28, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328145441/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NOH/2010.html | url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of the season, Bower stepped down from his coaching duties and returned to his position as a general manager.<ref>[https://www.nba.com/2010/news/04/20/hornets.bower.ap/index.html Hornets Bower] NBA 2010 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052048/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/04/20/hornets.bower.ap/index.html |date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> He was replaced by [[Monty Williams]].

During the [[2010–11 NBA season|2010–11 season]], Okafor helped New Orleans make the playoffs and appeared in his first-ever NBA playoff series. The Hornets finished the regular season 46-36 good for third place in the Southwest Division. Facing the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the first round of the postseason, Okafor scored 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in a 100-86 Game 3 loss, both of which would end up being postseason career highs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201104220NOH.html|title=Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Hornets Box Score, April 22, 2011|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=January 18, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024111036/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201104220NOH.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hornets lost the series 4–2.

The following [[2011–12 NBA season|2011–12 season]], Okafor averaged 9.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. But the Hornets struggled and traded away their star point guard [[Chris Paul]] plus two second-round draft picks mid-season to the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] for [[Eric Gordon]], [[Al-Farouq Aminu]], [[Chris Kaman]], and an unprotected first-round draft pick. On December 28, 2011, Okafor scored 13 points to go with a season-high 6 blocks in a 97–78 win over the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201112280NOH.html|title=Boston Celtics at New Orleans Hornets Box Score, December 28, 2011|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=January 18, 2022|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182827/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201112280NOH.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Emeka Okafor with headset 2013.jpg|thumb|Okafor with a headset while playing with the Wizards in 2013]]

===Washington Wizards (2012–2013)===
On June 20, 2012, 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=10232|title=Hornets trade Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to Wizards for Rashard Lewis|website=Inside Hoops|date=June 20, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112811/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=10232|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref> Okafor went on to be named a finalist for the inaugural [[Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award]] for his contributions with the team on and off the court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/06/09/first-twyman-stokes-award-billups/|title=Billups wins first Twyman-Stokes Award|website=NBA|access-date=July 3, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714201608/http://www.nba.com/2013/news/06/09/first-twyman-stokes-award-billups/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 25, 2013, days before the start of the [[2013–14 NBA season|2013–14 season]], Okafor was traded, along with a [[Tyler Ennis (basketball)|2014 protected first-round draft pick]], to the [[Phoenix Suns]] in exchange for [[Marcin Gortat]], [[Shannon Brown]], [[Kendall Marshall]] and [[Malcolm Lee (basketball)|Malcolm Lee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-acquire-okafor-first-round-pick|title=Suns Acquire Okafor, First-Round Pick|work=NBA.|access-date=October 25, 2013|date=October 25, 2013|archive-date=February 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217071150/http://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-acquire-okafor-first-round-pick|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he missed the entire season due to a herniated disc in his neck that was discovered in September 2013, and remained unsigned throughout the [[2014–15 NBA season|2014–15 season]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/12114070/emeka-okafor-likely-delay-comeback-neck-injury-next-season|title=Okafor likely to wait on decision|first=Marc|last=Stein|date=January 2, 2015|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 15, 2022|archive-date=March 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315055234/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/12114070/emeka-okafor-likely-delay-comeback-neck-injury-next-season|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[2015–16 NBA season|2015–16 season]], and the [[2016–17 NBA season|2016–17 season]]. On May 30, 2017, Okafor was medically cleared to play.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hann|first=Lucas|url=https://www.clipsnation.com/2017/5/30/15716276/nba-free-agency-la-clippers-report-emeka-okafor-cleared-to-play-attempting-nba-comeback|title=Report: Emeka Okafor Cleared to Play, Attempting NBA Comeback|work=clipsnation.com|date=May 30, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=November 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109144112/https://www.clipsnation.com/2017/5/30/15716276/nba-free-agency-la-clippers-report-emeka-okafor-cleared-to-play-attempting-nba-comeback|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Delaware 87ers (2017–2018)===
[[File:Emeka Okafor 87ers.png|thumb|right|Okafor during his tenure with the [[Delaware 87ers]]]]
On September 25, 2017, Okafor signed with the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sixers Sign Humphries, Okafor; Set Training Camp Roster|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-sign-humphries-okafor-set-training-camp-roster|website=NBA|access-date=September 25, 2017|date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926000539/http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-sign-humphries-okafor-set-training-camp-roster|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he was waived on October 14 after appearing in five preseason games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sixers Waive Three Players|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-waive-three-players|website=NBA.com|access-date=October 14, 2017|date=October 14, 2017|archive-date=October 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014235705/http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-waive-three-players|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, he joined the [[Delaware 87ers]] of the [[NBA G League]].<ref name=undefeated/>

===Return to New Orleans (2018)===
On February 3, 2018, Okafor signed a 10-day contract with the [[New Orleans Pelicans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-sign-emeka-okafor-10-day-contract|title=Pelicans sign Emeka Okafor to 10-day contract|work=NBA.com|date=February 3, 2018|access-date=February 3, 2018|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204182501/http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-sign-emeka-okafor-10-day-contract|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his Pelicans debut two days later, playing in the NBA for the first time since 2013. He played nine minutes and had three points and two rebounds in a 133–109 loss to the [[Utah Jazz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975539|title=Hood scores 30, Jazz win 6th straight, 133-109 over Pelicans|work=ESPN.com|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206133048/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975539|url-status=live}}</ref> He signed a second 10-day contract on February 14,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/pelicans-sign-emeka-okafor-second-10-day-contract|title=Pelicans Sign Emeka Okafor to Second 10-Day Contract|work=NBA.com|date=February 14, 2018|access-date=February 14, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215092316/http://www.nba.com/pelicans/pelicans-sign-emeka-okafor-second-10-day-contract|url-status=live}}</ref> and a rest-of-season contract on February 26.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/pelicans-sign-emeka-okafor|title=Pelicans Sign Emeka Okafor|work=NBA.com|date=February 26, 2018|access-date=February 26, 2018|archive-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227094356/http://www.nba.com/pelicans/pelicans-sign-emeka-okafor|url-status=live}}</ref> Filling in for the injured [[DeMarcus Cousins]], Okafor averaged 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1 block in 26 regular-season games, including 19 starts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/2018-pelicans-playoff-profile-emeka-okafor|title=2018 Pelicans Playoff Profile: Emeka Okafor|author=Jim Eichenhofer|work=NBA.com|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 26, 2018|archive-date=April 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424092954/http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/2018-pelicans-playoff-profile-emeka-okafor|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=undefeated/> He was waived by the Pelicans on September 19, 2018, just before the start of training camp.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pelicans Waive Emeka Okafor |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/pelicans-waive-emeka-okafor |website=NBA.com |access-date=September 19, 2018 |date=September 19, 2018 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111102514/https://www.nba.com/pelicans/pelicans-waive-emeka-okafor |url-status=live }}</ref>

Okafor signed with the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] on September 21, 2018,<ref>{{cite web|title=Team Announces 2018 Training Camp Roster|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/team-announces-2018-training-camp-roster|website=NBA.com|access-date=September 21, 2018|date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922101811/https://www.nba.com/sixers/team-announces-2018-training-camp-roster|url-status=live}}</ref> before being waived on October 13.<ref>{{cite web|title=Team Waives Three Players, Roster Stands at 17|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/team-waives-three-players-roster-stands-17|website=NBA.com|access-date=October 14, 2018|date=October 13, 2018|archive-date=October 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014130753/https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/team-waives-three-players-roster-stands-17|url-status=live}}</ref>

Because Okafor was waived by Philadelphia before the season started, the end of the 2017–18 season with the Pelicans ended up being his final playing time in the NBA. His final game was Game 3 of the 2018 Western Conference First Round against the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] on April 19, 2018. The Pelicans won the game 119–102 with Okafor playing {{frac|3|1|2}} minutes and only recording 1 foul as a stat.

===Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus (2019–2020)===
On November 22, 2019, [[Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus]] reported that they had added Okafor to their roster.<ref>{{cite web|title=속초에 왔던 훈련상대 오카포, 모비스 유니폼 다시 입는다|language=KO|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=065&aid=0000192790|date=November 22, 2019|website=Naver Sports|access-date=November 22, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407085009/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=065&aid=0000192790|url-status=live}}</ref> Okafor made his debut for them on December 4, 2019, coming off from bench with a double-double of 11 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a 60–65 loss to the [[Anyang KGC]].<ref>{{cite web|title=울산 현대모비스피버스 VS KGC인삼공사|language=KO|url=http://www.mobisphoebus.co.kr/game/31100_game-calendar.asp?play_date=2019-12-06|date=December 6, 2019|website=mobisphoebus.co.kr|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-date=December 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212094533/http://www.mobisphoebus.co.kr/game/31100_game-calendar.asp%3Fplay_date%3D2019-12-06|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Regular Season Round 15: Anyang KGC - Mobis Phoebus 65-60|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/South%20Korea/2019/1206_1981_1221.asp|date=December 6, 2019|website=eurobasket.com|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-date=December 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212103357/https://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/South%2520Korea/2019/1206_1981_1221.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>

==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|leader=y}}

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2004}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2004–05 Charlotte Bobcats season|Charlotte]]
| 73 || 73 || '''35.6''' || .447 || .000 || .609 || 10.9 || .9 || .8 || 1.7 || '''15.1'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2005}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2005–06 Charlotte Bobcats season|Charlotte]]
| 26 || 25 || 33.6 || .415 || — || .656 || 10.0 || '''1.2''' || .8 || 1.9 || 13.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2006}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2006–07 Charlotte Bobcats season|Charlotte]]
| 67 || 65 || 34.8 || .532 || — || .593 || '''11.3''' || '''1.2''' || '''.9''' || '''2.6''' || 14.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2007}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2007–08 Charlotte Bobcats season|Charlotte]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"| '''82'''* || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''82'''* || 33.1 || .535 || — || .570 || 10.7 || .9 || .8 || 1.7 || 13.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2008}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2008–09 Charlotte Bobcats season|Charlotte]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"| '''82'''* || 81 || 32.8 || .561 || — || .593 || 10.1 || .6 || .6 || 1.7 || 13.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2009}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2009–10 New Orleans Hornets season|New Orleans]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"| '''82'''* || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''82'''* || 28.9 || .530 || — || .562 || 9.0 || .7 || .7 || 1.5 || 10.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2010}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2010–11 New Orleans Hornets season|New Orleans]]
| 72 || 72 || 31.8 || '''.573''' || .000 || .562 || 9.5 || .6 || .6 || 1.8 || 10.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2011}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2011–12 New Orleans Hornets season|New Orleans]]
| 27 || 27 || 28.9 || .533 || — || .514 || 7.9 || .9 || .6 || 1.0 || 9.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2012}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2012–13 Washington Wizards season|Washington]]
| 79 || 77 || 26.0 || .477 || — || .571 || 8.8 || '''1.2''' || .6 || 1.0 || 9.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2017}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2017–18 New Orleans Pelicans season|New Orleans]]
| 26 || 19 || 13.6 || .505 || — || '''.818''' || 4.6 || .3 || .3 || 1.0 || 4.4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 616 || 603 || 30.9 || .512 || .000 || .586 || 9.7 || .8 || .7 || 1.6 || 12.0
{{s-end}}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2011 NBA Playoffs|2011]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2010–11 New Orleans Hornets season|New Orleans]]
| '''6''' || '''6''' || '''31.3''' || '''.645''' || — || '''.364''' || '''5.5''' || .0 || '''1.0''' || '''1.0''' || '''7.3'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2018 NBA Playoffs|2018]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2017–18 New Orleans Pelicans season|New Orleans]]
| 1 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || — || — || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 7 || 6 || 27.4 || .625 || — || .364 || 4.7 || .0 || .9 || .9 || 6.3
{{s-end}}

==Personal life==
Okafor's first name, Chukwuemeka, means "God has done well" in the [[Igbo language]].<ref name="nbabio" /> He appeared on the cover of ''[[NCAA March Madness 2005]]'' video game. Okafor appeared as himself in the second season of the TV show ''[[One Tree Hill (TV series)|One Tree Hill]]''. Okafor also appeared as himself in the second season of  the TV show ''[[Power Book II: Ghost]]''.

Okafor is a distant cousin of fellow NBA player [[Jahlil Okafor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://parade.com/270860/brianmclaughlin/jahlil-okafor-of-chicago-is-parades-2014-boys-basketball-player-of-the-year/|title=Jahlil Okafor of Chicago Is Parade's 2014 Boys Basketball Player of the Year|first=Brian|last=McLaughlin|website=Parade|date=March 14, 2014|access-date=March 15, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127083234/https://parade.com/270860/brianmclaughlin/jahlil-okafor-of-chicago-is-parades-2014-boys-basketball-player-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}</ref> He has two children with his wife Ilana Nunn,<ref name=undefeated>{{cite web|url=https://andscape.com/features/new-orleans-pelicans-emeka-okafor-i-want-to-play-as-long-as-i-can-2018-nba-playoffs/|title=Emeka Okafor: 'I want to play as long as I can'|date=May 8, 2018|work=[[Andscape]]|first=Marc J.|last=Spears|access-date=May 9, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109150658/https://andscape.com/features/new-orleans-pelicans-emeka-okafor-i-want-to-play-as-long-as-i-can-2018-nba-playoffs/|url-status=live}}</ref> the daughter of former NBA referee and director of officiating - hall of famer [[Ronnie Nunn]].<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/6136252/ilana-nunn | title = Ilana Nunn, NBA power player | website = ESPN | date = February 18, 2011 | first = Adena | last = Andrews | access-date = November 16, 2020 | archive-date = October 9, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231009165537/https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/6136252/ilana-nunn | url-status = live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career blocks leaders]]
* [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season blocks leaders]]
* [[List of NBA single-game blocks leaders]]
* [[Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's team squads#United States|U.S. men's basketball team at the 2004 Olympics]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{basketballstats|nba=2731|bbr=o/okafoem01}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235940/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/datadump/MBasketball/2002/Roster/Okafor.bio.html UConn bio]

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{{Chip Hilton Player of the Year}}
{{Pete Newell Big Man Award}}
{{Big East Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Okafor, Emeka}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
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