Emeka Okafor is a former professional basketball player who plays in the National Basketball Association. In 2005, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year while playing for the Charlotte Bobcats. He also played for other NBA teams like the New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi “Emeka” Okafor was born on September 28, 1982, in Houston, Texas in the United States of America. He stands 208 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 116 kilograms. He shot right-handed and he played center and power forward.
High School and College Career
He attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas. Later, he played college basketball for the University of Connecticut from 2001 to 2004.
| Position | Power Forward |
| Height / weight | 2.08 m / 116 kg |
| Born | 28 Sep 1982 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
| Team History | |
| Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus | 2019 - 2020 |
| Delaware 87ers | 2017 - 2018 |
New Orleans
|
2018 |
Washington
|
2012 - 2013 |
New Orleans/ Oklahoma City Hornets
|
2009 - 2011 |
Charlotte Bobcats
|
2004 - 2009 |
In 2003, he was named the Big East Player of the Year. In 2004, he also helped lead his team to an NCAA Championship. That year, he was also named the Chip Hilton Player of the Year and he was given the Pete Newell Player of the Year Award.
Professional Career
Okafor turned professional in 2004, selected in the NBA Draft in the 1st Round as the 2nd Overall Pick chosen by the Charlotte Bobcats.
He played for the Bobcats from 2004 to 2009. In his first year in the League, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and he was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
From 2009 to 2012, he played for the New Orleans Hornets. Then from 2012 to 2013, he played for the Washington Wizards. He retired in 2013 then came out of retirement in 2017 to play for the Delaware 87ers. In 2018, he played for the New Orleans Pelicans.
From 2019 to 2020, he played for the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in Korea.
Career Highlights and Awards
- 2005 - NBA Rookie of the Year
- 2005 - NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 2004 - NCAA champion
- 2004 - NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
- 2004 - NABC Co-Player of the Year
- 2004 - Consensus first-team All-American
- 2003 - Third-team All-American – NABC
- 2003, 2004 - NABC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2004 - Chip Hilton Player of the Year
- 2004 - Pete Newell Big Man Award
- 2004 - Big East Player of the Year
- 2003, 2004 - First-team All-Big East
- 2003, 2004 - Big East Defensive Player of the Year
- 2003 - NCAA blocks leader
Career NBA Statistics
- Points - 7,370 (12.0 ppg)
- Rebounds - 5,967 (9.7 rpg)
- Blocks - 1,003 (1.6 bpg)
Medal Record
- 2004 - Athens Olympics, Men’s Basketball, Gold
